tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88866095943209176042018-02-15T00:52:49.104-07:00Finding Joy in the JourneyPaigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.comBlogger166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-37073739724214018822015-02-19T07:10:00.000-07:002015-02-19T07:10:26.399-07:00Being Okay with a Small!<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px; text-align: justify;">This past weekend we traveled out of town for the baby dedication/blessing of my niece’s first child. Even though it was a couple days out of my own environment and what I call “norm,” I was very dialed in to making good choices and continuing my exercise regimen (yep, 5 miles on the rickety hotel treadmill was interesting, yet successful).&nbsp;</span><br /><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; min-height: 13.0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Usually when I travel, even though I’m not preparing and making my own food, I try to always pick good choices for ME. I try to avoid any dangerous areas. In other words, areas that tend to cause a problem yet still budget in things I’m going to want. Usually, when you travel or are away from your normal environment it’s for a reason. Sometimes that reason can be a party, a vacation, a weekend away, or even just lunch or dinner out. To know those things are coming and to mentally plan for them, has helped me to be successful in maintaining my weight loss.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 10px; min-height: 13px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of my favorite things to eat is frozen yogurt. I have no idea why I have this faddish but I do. In fact, to be able to go to a self-serve outfit where I can load on all the toppings I want is like the jackpot! SOO good!&nbsp; And no, I don’t think I adopted this craving because it’s called “frozen yogurt” and I felt like it had to be healthier than ice cream. I got hooked because it’s just too good and creamy and full of naughtiness!&nbsp;</span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Anyway, this weekend while we were away we spotted a Nielsen’s Frozen Custard Shop. They have one of these in another town about 5 hours from us and we’ve been before. H-E-A-V-A-N! Have you ever tried frozen custard? It’s SOOO creamy and rich and has everything I love about a frozen yogurt, only better because it’s frozen custard. By the time we drove by it that first day, they were closed, but I knew right then that it would have to be a stop before we headed out of town the next day.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The two main flavors of custard they normally have are chocolate and vanilla. They then have a slew of mix-ins to choose from. When we arrived the next day, they had the normal chocolate and vanilla, as well as a specialty flavor of the day - Carmel Cashew. (Two things I love!) I decided I was going to go with the caramel cashew.&nbsp; In the past, I’ve gotten a large or even a medium serving, but this time I decided that the small looked like just the perfect size. (They had clear cups on the counter to show the sizing options) We went and sat down to wait for them to bring out our order. A few minutes later, they walked over with what I thought was a mistake. A little tiny pink cup no bigger than the parameter of a silver dollar. It was like a mini. I then realized that was what the single serving came in, not the single serving with toppings cup I thought I was agreeing to that was displayed on the counter. Was I disappointed? Ah, YES! In fact, my kids thought it was too funny - my cute little cup of custard. I didn’t say anything and was just so thankful for the moment and my little treat that sat in front of me. I ate it very slowly as I wanted it to last forever. When I was done I realized something. It was perfect. Everything about it.&nbsp; The taste, the texture, and most of all the size! I didn’t need anything bigger in order to get my “fix” in that moment. I walked out of Nielsen’s feeling happy, satisfied, and like I was on top of the world because I had been in control of the situation and turned something into a positive, when for so long in my life, it was a negative. I told myself several times on the 4 hour drive home…I’m okay with a small!&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QBSN2J-Kwjg/VOVPGMkiwTI/AAAAAAAADHg/qaQqnrHoQkc/s1600/photo-49.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QBSN2J-Kwjg/VOVPGMkiwTI/AAAAAAAADHg/qaQqnrHoQkc/s1600/photo-49.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-91672070005075718032015-02-18T07:02:00.000-07:002015-02-18T07:02:03.934-07:00Focusing on Your Food....<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Lately I have been making a conscious effort to track my food so diligently and avoid things that don’t fuel my body. Sometimes this can be hard, especially when the idea of something REALLY yummy that I haven’t eaten in a while wanders into my brain. One of the things I’ve been working on is when and where I choose to eat my meals/snacks.&nbsp;</span><br /><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know some of you are probably saying, "Does it really matter?" I believe it does, and for me, I’ve been tracking how this has been working in my day to day life.</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">&nbsp;Most of the time in the mornings, for instance, I tend to make a protein shake to drink on the way to work, or if I choose to make some sort of a breakfast burrito with egg whites and veggies, I eat it in the car on the drive to work. It’s not long after I’ve gotten to work and I’m telling myself I’m hungry. The same scenario usually occurs when I eat my morning snack at my desk and sometimes even my lunch, depending on my day and what I need to get done. My afternoon snack is then usually a protein bar on the way to the gym and I find that the only real guaranteed sit-down meal I am having is at the dinner table every night. And even then, there are those times from time to time, where that is even eaten on the go. From looking at my day and really evaluating the quality time I spent eating, it really wasn’t happening. It was just when I could fit it in or I did it because it was time to eat.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just making a conscious effort to stop doing whatever it is I’m doing and really enjoy what I’m putting in my mouth has helped me to not think of food so much as an addiction but instead as fuel for my body. I think for so many years I would just eat to eat. It was what I knew how to do.&nbsp; I had no recollection of really the good from the bad or calories/proteins/carbs/fats. I just ate.&nbsp; Even when I had been educated about these things but still wasn’t focusing on the times and places when I was eating food, it all ended up feeling like a job, or like I said,&nbsp; I just did it because I had too.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">For the past few weeks while trying to make a change and focus on quality eating time, I’m feeling fuller longer and not constantly thinking about the next time I get to eat – things that naturally come when you’re a person who has struggled with either weight loss or food issues.&nbsp; By taking the time to break away from what I’m doing and sit at the table, try not to work and eat at the same time, and minimize the times I have to eat on the go, I feel like I’m headed in the right direction. It allows me to focus on each bite. It allows me to drink lots of water with whatever I’m eating. It allows me to feel like I’m in control, I’m a normal eater, and I can enjoy just about anything, as long as I do it in moderation.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know I’m not perfect at this by any means but just making an effort has been huge! &nbsp;It plays a key role in making good choices and maintaining what I’ve worked so hard to become.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wp-3xRhm4xM/VOK4FOqw2dI/AAAAAAAADHQ/IPOU6LObHbY/s1600/photo-48.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wp-3xRhm4xM/VOK4FOqw2dI/AAAAAAAADHQ/IPOU6LObHbY/s1600/photo-48.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-60702853486006801302015-01-26T06:37:00.000-07:002015-01-26T12:36:02.604-07:00Training the Brain! <span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">I have been reminded lately as I’m getting back into the swing of things that the brain is a muscle just like all the others in the body. And just like training muscles takes time and effort to get them to where we want them to be, so does training the brain. The good news is, once the brain is trained, it seems so much easier to maintain or at least for the most part. I know I’m not perfect when it comes to this, and it is a struggle from time to time, but I have myself headed in the right direction and that’s all that counts.&nbsp;</span><br /><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span><br /><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I like to think about it this way. If you were headed off to school to either become a doctor or a teacher, you’d have to learn different skills to be successful at what you were trying to accomplish. If you’d never been exposed to that type of education, it would be a new territory of learning. Once you got the education though and started on your way, you’d never forget what you learned and in the end, would become very successful at being that doctor/teacher.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our brains are the same way when it comes to educating them on what’s best for our bodies. The best thing about it is we were all made individually with special care, so training our brains is a very individual thing. Sure we can get ideas, help, and support from those around us, but in the end, we’ve got to be the one who's running the ship. We are the advocate for our bodies. What works for one person may not work for the next, so learning to train the brain is crucial, especially when you’re trying to lose weight and take on healthy.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lately for me, I feel like my brain needs a refresher. I know what to do. I know what works for me. I know how to get it done. It’s a matter of practicing my skills. Just like anything else in life, if we stop doing something we’ve trained our brains to do, even if we know it well, we tend to get a little rusty. That’s why doctors/teachers are required to do different re-certifications along the way during their career, to make sure they still have their brain trained in the right materials. I feel health is no different. If you're going to be successful in creating the best YOU, you need to have a good trained brain.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here are a few things that have helped me along the way:&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Establish a routine</u></b> – Make it a habit. Write it down if you need to for a while.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Find foods you enjoy</u></b> – What works for you is what you should eat. Not what your friends tell you you should and shouldn’t eat. Try new things. Branch out. There are so many yummy options.</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Make exercise something you look forward too</u></b> – This is a big one for me. I know I’ll have to exercise the rest of my life to maintain healthy, so I want it to be something I not only like, but love.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Share and Tell</u> </b>– It makes it so much easier when the people who you are closest to, and in some cases, not closest to, know you are trying to change. It’s then not a secret but a lifestyle. They also provide a source of strength and accountability that is extremely helpful.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Make it fun </u></b>- Because being healthy is a lifelong adventure, making it fun and something you enjoy is crucial. If that means getting involved, meeting new people who are on the same journey etc, DO IT! It will mean something and you will be a strength to others just as they are to you.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Like I mentioned earlier - Lately for me I feel like I am re-training my brain on some things. I tend to be hard on myself and need to remember that it was one day at a time that got me to where I am today. Not every day is going to be easy. Not every day was easy. In fact, maybe not every week. But when I look at the list of things above and the picture below, I am reminded that by small and simple things, great things are brought to pass.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Omcpc7SbPo8/VMW9I8Q7MrI/AAAAAAAADG8/RkQ90kCifCI/s1600/DSC_2631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Omcpc7SbPo8/VMW9I8Q7MrI/AAAAAAAADG8/RkQ90kCifCI/s1600/DSC_2631.JPG" height="400" width="263" /></span></a></div></div>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-70203055268025479962015-01-12T07:09:00.000-07:002015-01-12T10:31:42.755-07:005 Years...Maintenance...And So it Continues....<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now that we're two solid weeks into the new year, I feel like the hustle and bustle of the holidays have passed and I'm starting to settle in to somewhat of a routine again, and believe me, it feels SO good! Is it always a cakewalk? No way! I definitely have by bad days, but going forward the best I know how and finding ways to enjoy the journey along the way, is top priority.&nbsp;</span><br /><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421025829087_2424" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421025829087_2424" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This past week was my five-year anniversary, if you want to call it, of when I hit my goal weight and committed to remain healthy. Along with maintenance comes its challenges. In fact, to be frankly honest, I think the maintenance part is much, much harder than I thought it was going to be. In some ways, it's even harder than the 14 months it took me to lose the weight. Might sound crazy, but true story. My weight has fluctuated from time to time over the past 5 years since hitting my goal. Sometimes more than I'd like, but the good news is, I always know when it's time to stop the unnecessary and get back to business before things have gotten out of control. Usually, for me, it's because I've become lazy about tracking my food or not getting to the gym when I need too or just plain not doing what I know I need to do to maintain. Yep, life happens.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9Rb0-shztI/VLM1f_G-XdI/AAAAAAAADGg/_JUQIc962IM/s1600/photo-42.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y9Rb0-shztI/VLM1f_G-XdI/AAAAAAAADGg/_JUQIc962IM/s1600/photo-42.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421025829087_2424" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Food is an addiction. I believe this is true for people who not only have weight problems, but for people who are healthy too. I know when I was 278 pounds, not only did I think of food often, I chose to consume food in the wrong way. And even now, 5 years later, in a body half my size, I still think of food often, but in a different way. I'm addicted to thinking about fueling my body for the good. I'm addicted to making this body that was a gift, the healthiest I know how. In some ways, I think when we are struggling with food addictions that have caused us to spiral out of control and get to places that cause us unhappiness, can be far more challenging than other addictive behaviors, like drugs, alcohol, video gaming, etc. Again, this is just my own personal opinion and it's not meant to offend anyone. The way I see it, with action, support groups, maybe counseling, and a desire to not consume or participate in those things anymore, people are successful. The problem with food addictions is, we can't just say we're never going to eat again. That thought alone makes this whole idea of our journey all that more challenging and in my eyes.&nbsp;</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421025829087_2424" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421025829087_2424" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">For me personally in regards to maintenance, it's a matter of finding my happy place and staying as close to that as possible. Is that going to be beach body skinny minnie? Most likely not. It's not going to be any specific number on the scale but just a range in which I call "happy and healthy" for me. The problem and reality is, I like food. I always will. Hello...I was nearly 300 pounds! I want to still be able to enjoy food and treats as I continue on my journey. If that means sacrificing the idea that I'll never be a stick figure, I'm okay with that. All I want most of all is healthy and happy. I think that will tend to be my gauge more than the number on the scale in the months and years to come.&nbsp;</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421025829087_2424" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1421025829087_2424" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Whether you are at the beginning of your journey, in maintenance, or somewhere in between, I commend you. I know it's not easy. I've been there. I am there! But the good news is we're not alone. Here's to wonderful things in 2015!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zyDdQ2Z2JTQ/VLM2dNB3I5I/AAAAAAAADGo/mTGnOkrxdKo/s1600/photo-43.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zyDdQ2Z2JTQ/VLM2dNB3I5I/AAAAAAAADGo/mTGnOkrxdKo/s1600/photo-43.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></div>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-11025717081375203512015-01-04T19:39:00.000-07:002015-01-04T22:05:27.003-07:00New Year = New Perspective<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've been asking myself over the past couple weeks what it is about New Years Resolutions that I don't like. Seems like I've always professed I don't like them. I wanted to know why. They sound great. They sound motivating and inspiring. &nbsp;Then it occurred to me that the reason I don't think I've ever been one for New Years Resolutions, is the idea of failure. I had failed so many times in my life in years past at the beginning of the new year when I committed to lose weight, be healthier, etc. &nbsp;Then by March or April, I'd fallen off the bandwagon and back into my old ways and the weight was either still there or more had crept on. I guess that part of things has been overlooked the past several years when New Years has come and gone and I just still had the mindset of disliking goals for the reason of years prior of failure. When I began this weight loss journey it was not in January. It was in March. It wasn't New Years. It wasn't a time of year where everyone was setting goals and trying to make a change. This was different. And if you've read my blog from the beginning, you'll read that I didn't even know what my goals were in the beginning of this journey. I had no clue what to think or expect, as I was treading on new ground and was unsure in many ways of what I was capable of. The good news is that I made it to my goal. It took time, hard work, discipline, and motivation, but I got there. One day at at time. It was the first time in my life, I'd set a health-related goal and was successful. And not in a little way, but a big way.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, with that on my mind these past couple weeks, I've warmed up to the idea of goals. Resolutions. Dreams. Why not? I know now that I have what it takes mentally and physically to get me anywhere on the map. I can't say I've always been that way, no way. But I am now, so why not goal it up! As I've contemplated the idea of a few goals, it's gotten me excited again about health -- something to work towards, something to dream about. I feel like with the bit of a slump I've been in since summer break, the move etc. this is just what I'm needing to push forward and gain back the feeling I had felt before when I was in what felt like my best shape.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">So here are a few things I will be working on in 2015...GOALS....RESOLUTIONS!</span></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">* I plan to get back to resistance training several days a week. Since summer, it has been very hit and miss and I have had no real plan of attack when I get there. Just whatever sounded good and got the job done. I plan to be very disciplined in getting a thought out, planned, and on paper type workout in when I am there and push myself to get stronger and leaner in the process.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">* &nbsp;I have continued to run, which as you've known has not always been a favorite of mine, but for some reason I keep going back. I don't know why. I like how it makes me feel when it's over. It's something I'd never been able to say I could do before. &nbsp;Now I can. It's one of the few cardio exercises that can make me drip with sweat, and believe it or not, I like that feeling. Since I recently got a FitBit, I've ditched the Garmin. Now the FitBit will tell me distance and calories burned and that seems to be all I need to like running that much more. I have found that ditching my watch and not caring about my pace and time has made me a whole new runner. I'm enjoying it. I'm looking forward to it. I just head out and go, and I sync my phone when I'm done to see how far I went. It's perfect for me right now. Will I always be that way? Probably not. I'll need to graduate back to my Garmin at some point, but for now, I needed something very simple and non stressing, to help me fall in love with the exercise that seems to give me the most success as far as cardio.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">* In May, I'm planning to head to Indiana for a weekend to run the Indy Mini 500 Half Marathon with my Ragnar team, Strangers to Solemates. It's going to be a reunion of sorts for us and I'm super excited. I would love to be leaner and more fit than I was when they all met me for the first time last April. It's not a must, but it's motivating, and I will work my hardest to get there. From there, I will continue on my journey and move forward setting new short-term goals to keep me motivated and uplifted.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">*I'd love to sign up for more races. Basically, I run my traditional Seattle Half-Marathon every year, and then I've done a couple other local races and a Ragnar. I wouldn't mind stepping out of my comfort zone and trying a few more. Not to mention, they're always so fun!</span></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">With a New Year, it always brings the idea of change. A fresh start. A new beginning. Whatever it is you're striving to better or change or make a priority in the coming year, I pray is a success. It started with a thought. Now, act on it, have the faith, and press on. It won't be easy. I'm sure I'm going to have my share of days that are a struggle, but just keep telling yourself, you can do anything you put your mind to. You have the power to change you! Happy 2015!&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eVhsU3I_rIU/VKnj583MMzI/AAAAAAAADGQ/BuEzJKlI_lY/s1600/photo-41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eVhsU3I_rIU/VKnj583MMzI/AAAAAAAADGQ/BuEzJKlI_lY/s1600/photo-41.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-56993667732575918042014-12-23T12:08:00.000-07:002014-12-23T12:08:43.991-07:00Surviving the Holidays! <span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We had our first family gathering of the season this past Sunday evening at our house. It was actually not a Christmas gathering per say but a family birthday party for the December birthdays. The theme was "Summer" so we all wore summer clothes, had BBQ hamburgers (Yes, and it was a downpour. Thank you to the hubby for standing out back getting soaked while he grilled.), pasta salad, potato salad, and all the fixings that go along with a summer picnic. Oh, and shall I mention the strawberry shortcakes and any type of ice cream float imaginable for dessert. It was in that moment that I felt my mind want to run away from me and start playing all sorts of tricks about what I was getting myself into as far as my food choices, not to mention knowing this was the week of Christmas and New Years and things would only get worse not better in the scheme of food choice intake.&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><br /><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We are creatures of habit, some more than others, but for me, if you've read my blog long enough, you know I thrive on routine and structure. In fact, things don't go so well in my brain when unforeseen things come up (I need to work on that, I know). My entire weight loss journey and everything I've become has been based on learning new strategies, finding things I enjoy, and making those things become healthy habits in my life. Learning to get myself through the holidays or any other time (vacation, special occasion, etc.) should be no different.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I was out on a run this morning I was thinking a lot about this and the one thing that I was reminded of was that I AM IN CONTROL. I am in control of what choices I make. I am in control of who I have become. No food or event can take that away from me unless I decide to let it. And knowing that I am not perfect and sometimes slip, sometimes more than I'd like, I am prepared for the consequences that follow and know what needs to be done to get back on track. Not that I have any intention of going there this holiday season. I just like to know ahead of time in my brain that I've worked out all the details.&nbsp;</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The attitude I personally have taken for the holiday season is to maintain and not gain. Now, that doesn't mean, beat myself up over the 9 pounds I mentioned a few blog posts ago that I am trying to get back off. It means from that point on...to maintain for now. I want to enjoy the holidays and not be so worried about losing but focus also on not gaining. Here are a few things I worked through today on my run that I plan to do and thought I would share.</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Don't fixate on the foods you shouldn't eat. Eat them, just in moderation. In fact, take everything you want, small amounts, and then be proud of yourself for sticking to your plan.&nbsp;</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">-Drink plenty of water. Water for me is a filler and it sure does help. Oftentimes I add my flavor I use when going to the gym and it's a liquid treat in and of itself. (Lately I'm hooked on mango!)&nbsp;</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Exercise EVERY DAY. Even if you don't feel like much, or it's a rest day, a walk is better than nothing. Especially during the holidays when consuming calories adds up quickly.&nbsp;</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">- If you're headed to a function, don't arrive famished. It's better to get a head start at home and fill up on something safe before having a few treats at the party.&nbsp;</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Use a smaller plate when you have the option.&nbsp;</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Share with a friend. If it helps to be able to talk with someone about your "holiday helps," go for it. Sometimes just be accountable to someone is all it takes.&nbsp;</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Be positive. Positive self affirmations. At the end of each day, write down the things you did well, as far as food choices and exercise. Did I stay within the boundaries I'd set for myself etc?&nbsp;</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">- Most of all, enjoy the spirit of the season!&nbsp;Don't let your mind sabatoge your reason for enjoying the holidays. &nbsp;</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I pray each one of you have a blessed holiday season. I know in looking at my own life, I have so much to be grateful for, my health being a huge part of that. Thank you for your continued support. See you in 2015!&nbsp;</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPXkYDfs8sI/VJmzNUY-5aI/AAAAAAAADGA/dx51xABJqGU/s1600/photo-40.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZPXkYDfs8sI/VJmzNUY-5aI/AAAAAAAADGA/dx51xABJqGU/s1600/photo-40.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><br /></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1419356047673_2463" style="display: block; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><br /></div>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-2060950045796075772014-12-09T06:38:00.000-07:002014-12-09T06:38:17.163-07:00Now is the Time<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've been wanting to blog about this topic for well over a month now but I wasn't sure how or what I would say. I still am not sure exactly what I'm trying to voice but I'm wanting to give it a shot. This has no intention of offending anyone or your personal situation. &nbsp;These are just my thoughts. Like I've said numerous times before, I blog mainly for myself and to hold myself accountable but if my entries bless others along the way, that makes me just as happy.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><br /><div dir="ltr" id="yiv1836628930yui_3_16_0_1_1417969677648_2271" style="text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv1836628930yui_3_16_0_1_1417969677648_2271" style="text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I had been out of the gym for a brief time while dealing with our move. &nbsp;When I started back to getting serious about my fitness schedule again, I learned that a dear friend of our family (young mother of 2) was diagnosed with Leukemia and immediately put in the hospital in isolation for a month while they started rigorous chemo and various cancer treatments. Her life was taken over in that very moment, on that Sunday morning, by doctors and nurses and people who knew what she needed in order to fight the rough road ahead. She had no choice. She had to step away from everything&nbsp;<i id="yui_3_16_0_1_1418009731842_2416">normal</i>, including living at home with her husband and young boys, being a mom, and everything that her fairytale consisted of up until now . She had to take a step forward in faith, praying for a miracle. My heart ached. I cried. &nbsp;But she went forward with such courage and an amazing outlook which really touched me in a special way.&nbsp;</span></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv1836628930yui_3_16_0_1_1417969677648_2271" style="text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv1836628930yui_3_16_0_1_1417969677648_2271" style="text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I got to thinking about health and how many of us struggle with either weightloss, body imagine, getting healthy, or whatever it may be. For some it can be very debilitating, scary, and I'm sure causes great amounts of stress and even depression for some. But then I am reminded that even as scary as the road may look, and at different times on our journeys we're not quite sure we have it in us to move forward or how we're going to get there, we have not been the one diagnosed with an illness such as Leukemia and had our lives temporarily taken away and at the will of doctors and hospitals. It motivates me. Doesn't it motivate you?&nbsp;</span></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv1836628930yui_3_16_0_1_1417969677648_2271" style="text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv1836628930yui_3_16_0_1_1417969677648_2271" style="text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you have the power to get healthy and be healthy, why wouldn't you? For the past 4 years I have been a huge advocate in helping myself take on a new lifestyle, but just the thought of knowing so many people out there like my dear friend who struggle with illness, some even terminal, and the fact that they don't have that choice at the moment to get healthy and fit in the same way that you and I are aiming for, makes me want to shake the world and tell everyone to count your blessings and be grateful for what you have in the moment because you never know what curve ball may be thrown your way. Bottom line is this...If you're in a spot where you feel like you've been wanting to change. CHANGE. If you feel like you've been at a stand still and the weight isn't budging, MOVE FORWARD. If you feel like you can't do it alone. GET HELP.&nbsp;</span></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv1836628930yui_3_16_0_1_1417969677648_2271" style="text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv1836628930yui_3_16_0_1_1417969677648_2271" style="text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">There are so many times where we get caught up in somewhat of a&nbsp;pity&nbsp;party, myself included. "I can't seem to lose the weight. I've tried everything. My body was made this way. I'll start tomorrow. I have no motivation. I'm not disciplined enough. And the list goes on.....but really I'm learning we really need to ask ourselves: How can we get there? What tools do we need to be successful? Who can we help along the way? And most of all, be grateful for healthy bodies, even if they need some work and fine tuning.&nbsp;</span></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv1836628930yui_3_16_0_1_1417969677648_2271" style="text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yiv1836628930yui_3_16_0_1_1417969677648_2271" style="text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I just want to close by letting you know that my dear friend that I was telling you about is actually a certified trainer. She believes in healthy. She believes in taking care of YOU. If she could, she would be on a hike today exploring some new adventure and taking in all that God has created on top of a mountain somewhere. &nbsp;If you're not ready to commit to yourself, commit to someone else. Someone who is going through a trial and has temporarily been restricted from the kinds of things you and I get to do. &nbsp;Do it in their honor. Serve them in a way that will not only make a difference in your life but will bless them too. &nbsp;I know it would make my friend's heart happy to have anyone out there that is struggling at this moment with either body image, weight loss, exercise, or changing their life around for the better, to just do it! Step out of the box. Have faith. Whether it's for the first time or whether you're needing to get recommitted. &nbsp;Life is too fragile to wait for the perfect moment or a better time. Now is the time.&nbsp;</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yiv1836628930yui_3_16_0_1_1417969677648_2271" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfTdO0m8sRQ/VIUkAvWbqsI/AAAAAAAADFs/KPjtLU2L754/s1600/photo-87.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZfTdO0m8sRQ/VIUkAvWbqsI/AAAAAAAADFs/KPjtLU2L754/s1600/photo-87.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><div style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Thank you Elena for blessing me so and giving me new perspective on life. You have made me a better me in the last 6 weeks. Thank you. It won't be long and we will take the guys and hike to a mountaintop together again. You're a fighter and your faith on this journey so far is nothing but inspiring. Bless you.&nbsp;</span>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-54246937714910082072014-12-03T07:10:00.000-07:002014-12-03T07:10:51.523-07:00Onward and Upward....<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">Now that Thanksgiving is over and the leftovers are either eaten or thrown away, it’s time to get my brain back on track. The good news is it usually only takes me a day or two of being out of sync with my eating to help me crave getting back to a healthy lifestyle again. One of the perks I guess of spending the last few years retraining my body and brain on what healthy is all about.</span><br /><span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span><br /><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was excited to start my week and get back into my normal. Like I said in my post just prior to Thanksgiving, I have been somewhat out of sync for some time now with moving, remodeling, and getting settled in our new house. I made a plan of attack this weekend. I am craving “normal” but also know with the holidays around the corner, I am human and certainly not perfect and am bound to eat naughty on occasion. Regardless, getting my mind back on track is what’s most important and is what’s going to bring me the most success. It is so easy to get into a cycle of thoughts that spin you out of control when times like the holidays come and go. For me, it’s remembering that I’m not on a “diet” &nbsp;but choosing to eat and live healthy is what motivates me to keep going forward. I remind myself that it’s the small decisions I make every day that are going to make the difference, not the week I took off to eat what I wanted over Thanksgiving break.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">These are a few of the things I reminded myself before I went to bed last night and that seem to bring me great comfort in times when I feel like I need it most.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Take each day as it comes.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Don’t dwell on the naughty things I ate but celebrate the fact that I was able to eat them.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Don’t think of the things I haven’t been doing (like getting to the gym) but write down all the things I HAVE been doing (spending time with family, etc).</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Reflect on how far I’ve come and even with a 9 pound disadvantage at the present moment, I am no where near what I was just 4 ½ years ago.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Enjoy each day. Whether I messed up with eating or exercise, enjoy the moment and the day I am currently living.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’m learning to be grateful for the curve balls that have come and gone on this journey I call maintenance. I knew when I signed up for this challenge that it wasn’t going to be easy. It’s not supposed to be. I’ve had to work hard to become who I am and I don't believe health and happiness are suppose to come easily. We have to work at it. Just like anything else in life. This time of year was a good reminder of how grateful I am for a healthy body, that with a little training and positive self-talk has become something that has allowed me to do things in life I never dreamed or imagined. Life is good!</span></span><br /><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XBZCkMreW_4/VH8ZyG3cqsI/AAAAAAAADFc/Mmfi4MMjnYo/s1600/photo-86.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XBZCkMreW_4/VH8ZyG3cqsI/AAAAAAAADFc/Mmfi4MMjnYo/s1600/photo-86.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-18392649091514602792014-11-25T15:11:00.000-07:002014-11-25T15:11:47.712-07:00Out of Sync and Celebrating! <span style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It has been so long since I have had the time to sit down and dedicate a few minutes to my blog and express my thoughts and where I am at with things. First off, I should probably explain that I haven't fallen off the face of the earth as some have written and asked. Honestly, my life has been &nbsp;full of changes and challenges. Now that things are finally settling down again, I'm finding that I need that quiet time, that reassurance that comes from sitting down and expressing my thoughts about health, weight loss, and my journey. It's something that I always enjoy, and it brings me peace and allows me to not only reflect on where I've been, but also allows me move forward and experience the joys and also the struggles that come from being a former fatty.&nbsp;</span><br /><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1416934119944_2812" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1416934119944_2812" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">To bring you up to speed, my husband and I decided to put our house on the market in August. We honestly had no idea if it was the right timing to sell or not as the market has been hit and miss for so long now. Anyway, the house sold in 3 days. Because of the timing of things we had nothing lined up or hadn't even begun looking for a new house. We spent the next several weeks toying around with the idea of building or buying. We finally settled on an existing home, spent 6 weeks doing some remodel, and after staying 6 weeks with family and living 14 years in our old house, moved into our new place. We've been here 3 weeks now and it already feels like home. Is it crazy to say that I haven't been in my old house since the end of September and I have yet to miss it?&nbsp;</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1416934119944_2812" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5zSzQ3RpuHg/VHTDS9xfIjI/AAAAAAAADFM/lrcy6aLN298/s1600/photo-85.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5zSzQ3RpuHg/VHTDS9xfIjI/AAAAAAAADFM/lrcy6aLN298/s1600/photo-85.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Because of the way my life has been the past 12-14 weeks with everything going on and working on the house day in and day out, getting to the gym has been non-existant. I know. &nbsp;It's bad and I can feel it and see it. I did manage to run a couple times a week while staying at my parents house, along with doing a half marathon the end of October but that wasn't enough to keep me on track.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span><br /><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1416934119944_2812" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gtebfFprSMU/VHTDEv9OgII/AAAAAAAADFE/Qbhy8VKTqNg/s1600/photo-83.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gtebfFprSMU/VHTDEv9OgII/AAAAAAAADFE/Qbhy8VKTqNg/s1600/photo-83.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Because all of us are different and we require different things to get us to our fitness goals, just doing cardio doesn't cut it for me. My body needs that resistance training more than anything. I actually got on the scale and I am 9 pounds above where I call "my happy place." This is the place where I feel the most fit, the most healthy. My clothes still fit, just tighter than I want them. I am learning that as we go through trials or big changes in our lives, there are going to be set-backs. In some ways, even though I don't like it, I think this is good for me. Both mentally and physically. It's going to make me work hard at a new aspect of this journey we call maintenance and keep trudging forward.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span><br /><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1416934119944_2812" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1416934119944_2812" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Being out of sync can be debilitating. I can see that now. But it's how we put things into action and press forward that's going to mold us and create a new fire to get us back to our "happy place." Here's to getting myself back to that very place and using my blog as a way to journal my thoughts and allow you a tour of the journey.&nbsp;</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1416934119944_2812" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1416934119944_2812" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Oh yes, and don't you love how I posted this 2 days before Thanksgiving? Ha! I'm going to try not to be too naughty when it comes to my food choices but then again it's Thanksgiving. Yep, I'm eating naughty. ALL DAY!&nbsp;</span></div><div data-setdir="false" dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1416934119944_2812" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hHiTDNWido0/VHTDBCQbzGI/AAAAAAAADE8/JoRdzjRGJ-Y/s1600/photo-84.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hHiTDNWido0/VHTDBCQbzGI/AAAAAAAADE8/JoRdzjRGJ-Y/s1600/photo-84.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></div>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-3099629609863780572014-08-11T18:03:00.001-06:002014-08-11T18:03:47.840-06:00Month out of the Gym Re-Cap!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Remember a month or so ago when I mentioned that Jacob my trainer was&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b id="yiv6106931044yui_3_16_0_6_1406818285956_12">kicking me out of the gym</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">&nbsp;for a month? Well, I am here to let you know, I survived! Now, for some, I know they may have taken that as a huge sign to relax and not do much of anything, but for me, it drove me crazy. It was so hard. At first I wasn't sure how I was going to get through it mentally, being out of the gym that is. &nbsp;Each day got a little easier, and even though I wasn't in the gym lifting weights like my body was used to doing, I challenged myself and tried new things along the way. I looked for new ideas and things to keep me active.&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><br /><div id="yiv6106931044yui_3_16_0_1_1406818285956_2719"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="yiv6106931044yui_3_16_0_1_1406999716526_2674 yui_3_16_0_1_1407257350215_2977" id="yiv6106931044yui_3_16_0_1_1406818285956_2719" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I started my month break on a trip to Arizona in the middle of June (yes, I know...crazy HOT)! I was a little concerned on what I was going to do as I wasn't sure the set up of the hotel, and I knew anything outside in the ways of exercise was going to be way too hot (heat and I don't get along when it comes to exercise). Luckily our hotel had a great pool and a workout room that had an exercise bike, so I was able to make do. In fact, if you are planning to go outside in Arizona, you do it early in the morning. We went on a family hike at 6:00am the day after we got there. It wasn't altogether a hike in regards to what I am used to, so I decided upon returning to the hotel, to swim laps in the pool and then ride the bike in the exercise room. Sorta created my own mini triathlon of sorts. It was fun and again, something new.</span></div><div class="yiv6106931044yui_3_16_0_1_1406999716526_2674 yui_3_16_0_1_1407257350215_2978" id="yiv6106931044yui_3_16_0_1_1406818285956_2719" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="yiv6106931044yui_3_16_0_1_1406999716526_2674 yui_3_16_0_1_1407257350215_2979" id="yiv6106931044yui_3_16_0_1_1406818285956_2719" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">My month continued with various hikes, biking, and hitting the pool that is located at one of the other satellite gyms affiliated with my gym. I've always known swimming was a full body workout, but I wasn't sure at first if I was going to get the same kind of satisfaction I do from other cardio as I would be wet and in the water, instead of sweating along the way. It took one time in the pool of swimming laps for 35 minutes to realize the next morning that my upper body was sore. It felt great. Not only that, as the days went on, I found myself enjoying the pool more and more. In fact, it's not something I will be able to fit into my schedule during the week when school starts up again and I am back at work full time, but I am hoping to occasionally hit the pool for some laps on a weekend when I have more time.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="yiv6106931044yui_3_16_0_1_1406999716526_2674 yui_3_16_0_1_1407257350215_2979" id="yiv6106931044yui_3_16_0_1_1406818285956_2719" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1407257350215_3063" /></span></div><div class="yiv6106931044yui_3_16_0_1_1406999716526_2674 yui_3_16_0_1_1407257350215_2979" id="yiv6106931044yui_3_16_0_1_1406818285956_2719" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">As much as I didn't want to give this "month off" from lifting weights a whirl, I'm glad I did. I learned new things, tried new things, and challenged myself in ways I wouldn't have done otherwise. Like I said the other day, exercise has become part of my natural habitat. I can't go for more than a day without it. I crave it. Not in an obsessive way, but a healthy way. I love the feeling of being healthy!&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-463g0e8MzDQ/U-lZwyJxKjI/AAAAAAAADEc/qusPQD2HeJc/s1600/photo-81.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-463g0e8MzDQ/U-lZwyJxKjI/AAAAAAAADEc/qusPQD2HeJc/s1600/photo-81.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div></div>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-4934339126938169952014-07-17T05:58:00.001-06:002014-07-17T05:58:50.573-06:00Inspiring Others<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Did you know that even if you are in the beginning phases of your journey or if you are new to getting healthy, you're going to be an inspiration to others? &nbsp;Did you notice how I didn't say you "You can be in an inspiration" but a "You will be an inspiration." I've learned it's just one of the parts about this whole thing that has blessed me and continues to bless my life.&nbsp;</span><br /><div id="yiv7505558763yui_3_16_0_9_1405435991960_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_1_1405520961526_3413" id="yiv7505558763yui_3_16_0_9_1405435991960_9" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I first starting blogging about my journey it was something I chose to do to go back and relive some of those experiences, thoughts, and feelings as I hadn't documented along the way and felt like I hadn't enjoyed the process. I needed to be in the trenches again so I could feel the emotions of it and in the end have it help me continue to be successful.</span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_1_1405520961526_3413" id="yiv7505558763yui_3_16_0_9_1405435991960_9" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405520961526_3583" /></span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_1_1405520961526_3413" id="yiv7505558763yui_3_16_0_9_1405435991960_9" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I learned that even from the start I had people cheering me on and reminding me how strong I was. As the weight trickled off, little by little, I realized that even though I was far from where I wanted to be, my actions and motivation for taking on the project of "finding the new me" was inspiring others. It really was a hard concept to grasp and even now from time to time I tend to struggle with the idea. I mean, living as heavy as I was for as long as I did, clearly is not inspiring to people seeking after a healthier lifestyle. So, to change gears and train my brain to think differently was a real eye opener.&nbsp;</span></div><div id="yiv7505558763yui_3_16_0_9_1405435991960_9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br id="yiv7505558763yui_3_16_0_9_1405435991960_16" /></span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_1_1405520961526_3414" id="yiv7505558763yui_3_16_0_9_1405435991960_9" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just a couple weeks ago I was able to meet one of the gals who reads my blog for lunch. She had contacted me several months ago and we have corresponded some, so while my husband and I were traveling I was able to make the time to visit with her. What a treat! It really was a special thing to sit down and talk with virtually, a total stranger and just listen and learn of how much my story has blessed her life. &nbsp;I love more than anything the feeling of paying-it-forward. I hadn't done anything special or out of the norm to have brought us together other than sharing my story, my struggles, and keeping it real. And even though I am not a professional when it comes to fitness and health, we were able to bounce ideas off each other and I was able to share with her tips and things that worked for me during various parts of my journey. I remember getting in my car afterwards and as I drove away felt so overwhelmed with joy. Joy that something that brought me years of struggle and disappointment, had now brought me peace, happiness, and more importantly, a new friend.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_1_1405520961526_3414" id="yiv7505558763yui_3_16_0_9_1405435991960_9" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br id="yui_3_16_0_1_1405520961526_4279" /></span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_1_1405520961526_3414" id="yiv7505558763yui_3_16_0_9_1405435991960_9" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">So with that, meet my new friend Teresa....</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O-IjkXrOd7c/U8e5j9yKOiI/AAAAAAAADEM/M1iGLYT5Hj8/s1600/photo-73.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-O-IjkXrOd7c/U8e5j9yKOiI/AAAAAAAADEM/M1iGLYT5Hj8/s1600/photo-73.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Never underestimate the power you have to influence someone else regardless of where you are in your journey. I'm not indicating everyone needs to write a blog. &nbsp;It can mean even keeping a journal or sharing your thoughts and progression with a small network of people. When more people know about what is going on and can be a support to you, the more you will naturally inspire them and together it can be key to your success.&nbsp;</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span></span>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-26763360172428789512014-07-09T05:57:00.002-06:002014-07-09T05:57:57.407-06:00Overcoming the Fear<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is a topic that I think we all can relate to in one way or another, whether it has to do with living a healthy lifestyle of weight loss and being successful at it or something as simple as being afraid of heights. I'm only mentioning these two because they both have either been a part of my life in the past or are still somewhat of a fear I am currently dealing with.&nbsp;</span><br /><div id="yiv1358499418yui_3_16_0_1_1404842874182_11717"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div id="yiv1358499418yui_3_16_0_1_1404842874182_11717"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">When I first even had the inclination that I wanted to try to get healthy and lose some of the weight I was carrying around, I had no idea what that would look like. I was scared my body wouldn't respond. I was scared of the unknown. I didn't know what to do or even how to do it, and I was even scared with the thought that I wouldn't be able to stick with it. Like I said, I had no clear picture of anything that lied ahead and when I thought of my body looking different and being lighter, my brain when to mush. It was fear. What is the opposite of fear? Faith. I had no faith in myself that I could become better. (Just typing that out makes me sad.)</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V3HXmnhe1Tg/T060ssxElbI/AAAAAAAABbQ/sJLxIAdH68U/s1600/102_1836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V3HXmnhe1Tg/T060ssxElbI/AAAAAAAABbQ/sJLxIAdH68U/s1600/102_1836.JPG" height="640" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(I had already lost 40 pounds when this picture was taken.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">When did that change? It was baby steps. The more I saw a little bit of progress, the more I believed in myself. Instead of jumping my thoughts way ahead to the end and what I hoped things were going to be like, I kept it small. I kept it real. Looking ahead, believing with faith that I was going to reach my next goal, whatever it may be. The more faith I deposited into my baby steps, the more I trusted in God to help me, the further I went, eventually reaching my goals. Kinda like a bank account. The more deposits of faith and "I can do this" statements I added to my account, the better off I was going to be, especially when hit with a rough patch or a plateau. In the end, I had trained my brain to believe I could do anything I put my mind to.&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aQFOqlyNDS0/T0EhJdxID1I/AAAAAAAABaA/khk2u5KPbak/s1600/100_6487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aQFOqlyNDS0/T0EhJdxID1I/AAAAAAAABaA/khk2u5KPbak/s1600/100_6487.JPG" height="400" width="190" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I tell you this because just this last week, I started to work on yet another fear of mine - heights! I know, sounds crazy coming from the girl who loves to hike mountains, but it's true. I guess I am used to hiking mountains in Washington, where things are lush and green and trees everywhere and you really don't realize you are going up until you reach the top and have a beautiful view of the world below. Not to mention, there are usually plenty of surroundings on each side of you to make you feel safe, even when at the top. This past week our kids were gone at a church retreat for the week so my husband and I decided to do some hiking. He's a big-time backpacker, hiker and loves the outdoors. We decided to hike up Mt. Timpanogos. It's in Utah between Salt Lake City and Provo, about 6 hours from where we live. We had heard many wonderful things about this hike so we were excited to make the trip. The trail itself is beautiful.&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HCrZxkzd5I0/U7yabKBvmrI/AAAAAAAADCo/yfYtNogG28M/s1600/20140701_173502_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HCrZxkzd5I0/U7yabKBvmrI/AAAAAAAADCo/yfYtNogG28M/s1600/20140701_173502_HDR.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Very well traveled, lots of flowers, waterfalls, wild mountain goats, and things to see on the way up. I was in heaven.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GxGhFXCnpAM/U7ywZRibRJI/AAAAAAAADDw/BulALMbPZko/s1600/photo-69.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GxGhFXCnpAM/U7ywZRibRJI/AAAAAAAADDw/BulALMbPZko/s1600/photo-69.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nN9_biDtO4Y/U7yv8YoEiII/AAAAAAAADDQ/zVc7Hx3jl0I/s1600/photo-64.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nN9_biDtO4Y/U7yv8YoEiII/AAAAAAAADDQ/zVc7Hx3jl0I/s1600/photo-64.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t2G3hBpBkhw/U7yv-Sxc6eI/AAAAAAAADDY/c4bNPSrHMkU/s1600/photo-67.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t2G3hBpBkhw/U7yv-Sxc6eI/AAAAAAAADDY/c4bNPSrHMkU/s1600/photo-67.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once we hit an open meadow area, there weren't many trees anymore and nothing but the tip of the mountain way off in the distance.&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BdZ_ItIx_J4/U7ywW4q7bsI/AAAAAAAADDk/607XnkzroYk/s1600/photo-70.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BdZ_ItIx_J4/U7ywW4q7bsI/AAAAAAAADDk/607XnkzroYk/s1600/photo-70.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(We had already hiked 4 miles by the time we reached the meadow. Up to the right is the "saddle" then you hike up and around the back to get to the top. It was another good 3.5 miles.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">From there is when I started to get uneasy. We had to cross over a few snowfields that were not exactly flat, so no falling or slipping was allowed.&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HbYj5i3_ZuY/U7yaI-VswBI/AAAAAAAADCY/XZ1rBJXGAgQ/s1600/20140701_125048_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HbYj5i3_ZuY/U7yaI-VswBI/AAAAAAAADCY/XZ1rBJXGAgQ/s1600/20140701_125048_HDR.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Then once we got up to what was called the saddle of the mountain, that is where I was pretty sure I wasn't going any further. Literally, a small narrow trail that dropped straight off the mountian. No gradual decline down the side just a straight drop.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_gq6Cyalrq0/U7yaFyBZVDI/AAAAAAAADCQ/52U0eLjrF3M/s1600/20140701_133234_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_gq6Cyalrq0/U7yaFyBZVDI/AAAAAAAADCQ/52U0eLjrF3M/s1600/20140701_133234_HDR.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(This was taken up on the saddle with the meadow down below to the left.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZ3uGz8Ou3I/U7yvfDwPBVI/AAAAAAAADC4/lNijcTXTFyQ/s1600/photo-65.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jZ3uGz8Ou3I/U7yvfDwPBVI/AAAAAAAADC4/lNijcTXTFyQ/s1600/photo-65.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(This would be what the trail looks like most of the time getting up the rest of the way. Yep, like I said...straight down! No edge of any kind.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I kept thinking to myself, "And they say people don't die on this mountain? They say Timp is very safe to hike?" I couldn't believe it! I hiked up to camp Muir on Mt. Rainier last year and this had no comparison. Rainier was a piece of cake compared to this.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-66-hqJlkK10/U7y2b5Nx21I/AAAAAAAADEA/AjDhEaNZfBA/s1600/photo-71.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-66-hqJlkK10/U7y2b5Nx21I/AAAAAAAADEA/AjDhEaNZfBA/s1600/photo-71.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(This was the view from the saddle with still 3 miles to climb.)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We took a break for a few minutes and then Steve was very sweet about asking me how I felt and if I wanted to go on. He said he would be fine if we turned back if that is what I wanted to do. In some ways I was done, but in other ways I wanted to get to the top. I came this far, I wanted to make it. It was one of those moments where I sat there on that mountain filled with emotion that my body was even capable of getting as far as it did. It wouldn't have even been able to barely leave the parking lot a few years ago. I then had the thought of fear and what I had to do to overcome the fear of being successful on my weight loss journey. Baby steps came into my head. I was going to take baby steps to the top. Or at least give it a try. I had decided even if I got part of the way, it was a start, and I would feel much better about trying and having faith, rather than giving up and running from fear. Needless to say we made it to the top, little by little, scaling the side of the mountain at a couple points where rocks fell for miles below.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0dHC35Tikek/U7yaVF2QTaI/AAAAAAAADCg/SJ8Owg19_EA/s1600/20140701_154213_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0dHC35Tikek/U7yaVF2QTaI/AAAAAAAADCg/SJ8Owg19_EA/s1600/20140701_154213_HDR.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(This is for real folks! Scaling the side of the mountain at a few spots. I was not smiling by the way. I think I was moaning or something.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I even announced I was done more than once but then something in me wanted to keep going. I was shaking, I was nervous, all the things that were probably not a good combination when climbing up the side of a mountain that had nothing but drop-offs and the city below to catch me. Steve even had to slow down as the altitude was giving him a headache. &nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'll never forget the feeling of accomplishment when reaching the little white shack that sits on the top of the mountain.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aw7SaAoLcW8/U7ywWe_Ei_I/AAAAAAAADDg/KZ_g_ljEDcg/s1600/photo-68.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aw7SaAoLcW8/U7ywWe_Ei_I/AAAAAAAADDg/KZ_g_ljEDcg/s1600/photo-68.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">&nbsp;I felt like I was on top of the world and could do anything I put my mind and heart to. Whether it was losing weight and getting healthy or climbing 15 scary miles over a 10 hour period, I was reminded again that I am capable of anything.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eayn1wSdXQQ/U7yvzC1DJjI/AAAAAAAADDI/wUyncynrdhg/s1600/photo-66.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Eayn1wSdXQQ/U7yvzC1DJjI/AAAAAAAADDI/wUyncynrdhg/s1600/photo-66.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div></div>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-62235977399539701892014-06-26T07:09:00.000-06:002014-06-26T07:09:38.071-06:00Rock n Roll - 1/2 Marathon Race Re-Cap!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q0rWRdpScMc/U6uyTQ68hTI/AAAAAAAADBQ/eNsmGFt_R6w/s1600/photo-62.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q0rWRdpScMc/U6uyTQ68hTI/AAAAAAAADBQ/eNsmGFt_R6w/s1600/photo-62.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><br />&nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">There is something I have loved about coming home to Seattle every summer for the past 4 years to run the Seattle Rock n Roll, but for some reason, this year it was like icing on the cake. Icing on the cake of who I have become.&nbsp;</span><br /><div id="yiv1253829298yui_3_16_0_1_1403583230180_2525"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br id="yiv1253829298yui_3_16_0_1_1403583230180_2556" /></span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_1_1403583230180_4194" id="yiv1253829298yui_3_16_0_1_1403583230180_2525" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I really didn't have any goals for myself for this race other than to enjoy it and to have fun. In the past when I train, there has always seemed to be a level of anxiety that fills my body. It usually starts months ahead when I look at the training schedule and anticipate all I need to do in order to be ready for the big day. Then I study the long runs and their increase in mileage by the week, which causes more anxiety. In a nut shell, it always has felt great to complete the race, but the process to get me there hasn't always been my favorite.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_1_1403583230180_4195" id="yiv1253829298yui_3_16_0_1_1403583230180_2525" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br id="yiv1253829298yui_3_16_0_1_1403583230180_2558" /></span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_1_1403583230180_4196" id="yiv1253829298yui_3_16_0_1_1403583230180_2525" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This time I decided to go about things a little differently. I had just gotten done with Ragnar SoCal in April so I was still in my routine of running. I decided that this time around for the Rock n Roll I wasn't going to follow any certain training plan. I was just going to plan to run 3 shorter runs during the week with a long run on Saturday. I liked the idea of not being tied to a schedule per say. Part of that for me I think comes from the fact that I am such a rule follower. If I didn't follow my schedule to a tee, I would get cranky and frustrated, even like I was feeling behind. Having no schedule other than to get the runs in I have learned is a much better option for me. Not only that, because I wasn't stressing about how many miles I needed to get in or the run I missed yesterday and trying to make it up somewhere along the way, I was able to learn to love what I was doing. Learn to love running. Finally!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was a beautiful day on Saturday in Seattle. We couldn't have asked for better weather. We got up at five and headed out the door so we could be downtown by 6:00 to catch the monorail to the Seattle Center. We arrived with plenty of time to get situated, check our bags, wait in line for the restrooms, and get to our coral. I had eaten a piece of bread with peanut butter and a half of a banana before leaving the house. I was hoping it was enough time to get it settled before we got started because my stomach is ultra sensitive when I'm running. In fact, I have to run on minimal water and fuel. I know, not always the best idea, but I have found a few things that work for me, so I stick with the basics and press on.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_1_1403583230180_4199" id="yiv1253829298yui_3_16_0_1_1403583230180_2525" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br id="yiv1253829298yui_3_16_0_1_1403583230180_2564" /></span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_1_1403583230180_4200" id="yiv1253829298yui_3_16_0_1_1403583230180_2525" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Once our coral crossed the starting line we were off. My best friend Tammy and I have run this race together every year. She is quite the runner and could out run me any day but this is one of those runs we have always just done together. She was a huge part of my support team on the journey to a healthier me, so I love that she comes and does this with me every year. Better yet, she runs along side me the whole way.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8zaH4JPaIbE/U6uyLFtY6YI/AAAAAAAADBA/5PPueVT_r5U/s1600/photo-61.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8zaH4JPaIbE/U6uyLFtY6YI/AAAAAAAADBA/5PPueVT_r5U/s1600/photo-61.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></span></div><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">As we headed down the streets of Seattle I marveled at the large buildings and the beauty of the city I was raised in. That is one thing I love about this race. The course is absolutely perfect. You get city, waterfront, Mt. Rainier, Puget Sound, Safeco Field, Space Needle, and so many other sites. We were running a fairly decent pace the first few miles. I felt great. In fact, we were passing people! For me this is the first. I'm usually the one people are passing by left and right. I think at one point I had thought I didn't know how long I'd be able to keep that pace, but then I didn't think about it and kept going. The miles continued to pass and we kept on going, passing people along the way. There is a point on this run where you have to run a mile through a tunnel and I don't do tunnels, so I'm sure I slowed down a bit but not much. At mile eleven we were running up what's called the Alaskan Way Viaduct. The views of the Sound are wonderful. We even stopped for a selfie! Speaking of selfies, this was the first race I was able to take my phone on now that I bought a flip belt. (Best invention ever. I don't even feel it on me and I am super picky about carrying extra things on a run.) It was fun to be able to snap a few pictures here and there along the way.</span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_1_1403583230180_4202" id="yiv1253829298yui_3_16_0_1_1403583230180_2525" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nYRgVz8fJSQ/U6uyXjaH3dI/AAAAAAAADBY/yDo0eIeI87Q/s1600/photo-58.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nYRgVz8fJSQ/U6uyXjaH3dI/AAAAAAAADBY/yDo0eIeI87Q/s1600/photo-58.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">About the time we were at mile eleven, I glanced at my watch. I knew that I would be finishing the race nearly 30 minutes faster than last year as I had some cramping and had to walk a bit last year. Then I then realized that it was possible for me to get a PR. I had pretty much written the idea of this off long ago as they had changed the course from the first two years we ran it. Back then it was much flatter with only a few hills. Now, for the past two years, it has been rather hilly with a doozy at the end. I never imagined I could beat my first time of 02:14 and some change. As we kept running I started picking up speed as in my mind I decided I was going to go for it. I wasn't sure what Tammy was thinking at this point as she was weaving in and out of people like I was, nearly on the opposite side of the road. I saw another tunnel up ahead and started to panic a bit but decided I was going to push through it and run faster. I thought, "The faster I run, the faster I get through this tunnel." We ran a short distance more before rounding the corner to the chute. Mind you, it is a huge hill that climbs for what seems like FOREVER! People cheering you on left and right but it still doesn't seem to help. It was at that point that people where passing us for the first time. I almost felt silly but seriously, I couldn't make my legs go any faster up that hill. I finished 13.1 with a time of 02:13:32. It was the fastest half I had ever run! I felt great. Aside from the hill at the end, I honestly could have kept going.</span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_1_1403583230180_4204" id="yiv1253829298yui_3_16_0_1_1403583230180_2525" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The human body amazes me! When we fuel it and take care of it in the right way, it will perform the way we want it to. I am grateful for the knowledge and the things I have learned over the past several years and what exactly my body can do for me. Instead of being something I dread, something that weighs me down, it has become a machine of nothing but goodness. It has shaped me to who I am today and has opened a whole new way of life to be&nbsp;</span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_1_1403583230180_4205" id="yiv1253829298yui_3_16_0_1_1403583230180_2525" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">enjoyed that I never knew existed. Life is good!&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jZLwr0S7UOA/U6uzC7E9TuI/AAAAAAAADCA/b0KzZ9YILBg/s1600/photo-60.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jZLwr0S7UOA/U6uzC7E9TuI/AAAAAAAADCA/b0KzZ9YILBg/s1600/photo-60.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">P.S. After the run, it has become our tradition to have a girls weekend and head to the coast for a couple days to relax and recoup after a season of training and running. It's nice to just not be on a schedule, walk the beach, shop, hike a trail or two, and eat as much naughty food as we want. Here are a few pictures from that part of the trip.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_1_1403583230180_4208" id="yiv1253829298yui_3_16_0_1_1403583230180_2525" style="background-color: transparent; font-style: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9C8MOIsTvMo/U6uyb1kJeeI/AAAAAAAADBo/obtzp1nxlrg/s1600/photo-57.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9C8MOIsTvMo/U6uyb1kJeeI/AAAAAAAADBo/obtzp1nxlrg/s1600/photo-57.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Ever since my foot surgery a few years back, my feet love the sand after a long race. The beach makes for a perfect stop on the way home.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTco2n23Lg0/U6uyZfwJVNI/AAAAAAAADBg/-ClpGeX-KUI/s1600/photo-59.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jTco2n23Lg0/U6uyZfwJVNI/AAAAAAAADBg/-ClpGeX-KUI/s1600/photo-59.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Yep, Tammy's sister-in-law made us the BEST CAKE ever to eat after the race!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yZNTVvTA1BA/U6uyOWtuyEI/AAAAAAAADBI/BpH0px2nyFY/s1600/photo-63.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yZNTVvTA1BA/U6uyOWtuyEI/AAAAAAAADBI/BpH0px2nyFY/s1600/photo-63.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;">Don't ask! I have no idea...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">P.P.S.....I have a mentioned this was the best race ever?&nbsp;</span></div></div>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-9138148361258522792014-06-17T08:22:00.000-06:002014-06-17T08:22:05.212-06:00Getting Kicked out of the Gym for a MONTH!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've known this was coming but the reality of it is starting to sink in. I'm headed to Seattle this weekend to run the Rock n Roll half marathon, and then I've been officially kicked out of the gym for a month, per Jacob, my trainer who knows all. When he first started talking about going this route several weeks ago, imagine a two year old throwing a temper tantrum. Yep, that would pretty much be me. I've begged, cried, and fought this one hard but there was no budging on his decision. The answer was "No!"&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="" id="yui_3_16_0_6_1402974288538_47" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRYAYwfBjoY/U6BNwkQvbfI/AAAAAAAADAo/ST5PYkh96yQ/s1600/photo-54.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wRYAYwfBjoY/U6BNwkQvbfI/AAAAAAAADAo/ST5PYkh96yQ/s1600/photo-54.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br class="" /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'm sure many of you are wondering why in the world a trainer of all people would advise his client to do such a thing. Better yet, I've already mentioned it to a few people and they were leery of me doing it. In fact, I've even been told already I was crazy. I reassured them that even though I don't altogether understand it myself yet, I trust Jacob with my life. He knows his stuff. He wouldn't do what he does if he didn't. Not to mention, this is the guy who has walked me through losing over 130 pounds (by eating healthy and exercise) and has helped me keep it off for nearly 4 years.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_6_1402974288538_50" id="yui_3_16_0_6_1402974288538_51" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br class="" /></span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_6_1402974288538_52" id="yui_3_16_0_6_1402974288538_53" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">In a nutshell, and simply the best way to explain what is going on is, my body has been working non-stop, and very hard for that matter, for nearly 4 years without a break. Well, let me clarify. Jacob has always had me occasionally take a week off from the gym to sorta shock my body but nothing longer than that. He says my body is tired. It is run down. It is exhausted. It needs rest. In fact, it is so tired and run down that it is not performing the way I want it to or that it needs to in order to maintain a healthy me.</span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_6_1402974288538_54" id="yui_3_16_0_6_1402974288538_55" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br class="" /></span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_6_1402974288538_56" id="yui_3_16_0_6_1402974288538_57" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have been consistently eating a high protein diet (as I normally do) as well as maintaining 4 lifts a week and 4-5 days of&nbsp;<span class="mark" id="misspell-0" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(https://s.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/rte-mark.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 50% 100%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat;">cardio</span>&nbsp;and my body is not able to maintain its lean muscle. My body fat percentage is at 19% which is great (I<span class="mark" id="misspell-1" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(https://s.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/rte-mark.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 50% 100%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat;">'m</span>&nbsp;not complaining a bit), but my lean muscle that I have worked so hard to get me where I am is slowly dropping. For example, the beginning of April I had 125.1 pounds of lean muscle and today when I was pinched and inched, I had 121. I know this may not sound like a big deal but I've worked too hard to not be lean and fit. I don't want to go backwards. There are two other reasons I am needing to take a break. One is to prevent injury and the other relates again to pushing farther than my body will go. Jacob explained this very well the other day. He said if I continued on like I am, there is a very good chance that chemically things could fall out of whack and then I would find myself seeing a natural-path to try to help get me back on track.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_6_1402974288538_58" id="yui_3_16_0_6_1402974288538_59" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br class="" /></span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_6_1402974288538_60" id="yui_3_16_0_6_1402974288538_61" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Am I nervous about taking a month off? Yes, I'm not going to lie. I'm not excited about it one bit. This is going to be totally new territory for me. Oh and Jacob has me eating more and is actually hoping I gain a little bit of weight. Crazy huh? I know! But then I keep feeding my brain the words he said. &nbsp;"Your body needs a long break. I need it to forget what it feels like to workout hard. I need it to forget what it's like to be healthy. I need it to forget what it's like to be on a routine. Then when you return, it will fire up and perform like no other. You will be able to maintain the way you want to and keep that lean muscle in place. You will be a&nbsp;<span class="mark" id="misspell-2" style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(https://s.yimg.com/ok/u/assets/img/rte-mark.png); background-origin: initial; background-position: 50% 100%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat;">rockstar</span>!" I'm not so sure I was convinced, but I have always done what he says. 100%!</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2BzXs4Vni-g/U6BNnSFX1ZI/AAAAAAAADAk/4W21rOORQq0/s1600/photo-55.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2BzXs4Vni-g/U6BNnSFX1ZI/AAAAAAAADAk/4W21rOORQq0/s1600/photo-55.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&nbsp;(Literally, kicking me out of the gym!)</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_6_1402974288538_62" id="yui_3_16_0_6_1402974288538_63" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I asked Jacob how often he does this to a client and he said he never has. My jaw dropped, yes. Panic mode Paige set in again. Like, "No, I don't want to be the&nbsp;guinea pig." &nbsp;Then he went on to say, "But I rarely have clients that have done what you have done. Clients that are 100% dialed in on your nutrition, and who have pushed as long and hard as you have. You deserve a break! You can do this!"</span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_6_1402974288538_66" id="yui_3_16_0_6_1402974288538_67" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="yui_3_16_0_6_1402974288538_68" id="yui_3_16_0_6_1402974288538_69" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">So with that, I will press on...one day at a time for the next month starting after Saturday. The good news is that I can hike, bike, swim, take a walk and be active in many ways, just no lifting and running. I truly am grateful for Jacob and his&nbsp;wisdom and council. Sometimes it feels like more of a therapy session, but in the end, I wake up the next day ready to press on, one day at a time, enjoying my body and what it has become. So with that, thank you Jacob Wilson. We can do this! Be Elite! Life is good!&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sR2qc5sdOsA/U6BOhfdunQI/AAAAAAAADAw/Xw8WXFxRysg/s1600/photo-52.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sR2qc5sdOsA/U6BOhfdunQI/AAAAAAAADAw/Xw8WXFxRysg/s1600/photo-52.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div></div>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-63465535237595529582014-06-12T08:03:00.000-06:002014-06-12T08:03:07.304-06:00Taking Care of YOU!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have you ever heard the saying that when you help someone or serve them in some way, that it will make you feel better about yourself? I find this to be very true as I love doing things for others and reaching out to make someone’s day a little brighter, but I have also learned in the course of losing weight and getting healthy that one of those people needed to be myself. I don’t mean that in a selfish way by any means. I mean it in a way that you need to not only build others up but also build up yourself. This was something I was never good at until I learned that my self-worth was worth nurturing and taking care of, just like anyone else’s. In fact, for years I think I often times would think I was making myself feel better by doing one of three things: doing something nice for someone else, lounging around not doing much of anything, or eating things I knew I shouldn’t on a regular basis. These three things were my medication of sorts. This was how I dealt with being overweight. In fact, aside from doing something nice for someone else, it was easier to be a hermit than to get outside the walls of my home.&nbsp;</span><br /><div style="font: 10.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">In the process of trying to make a change, here are some of the things I’ve learned:</span></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s not always easy to step away from the family and get to the gym, but I know I need to do it.</span></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s not always easy to pay the expense of using a personal trainer, but the tools that are added to my basket on a weekly basis are tools of nutrition and health. Success is on being educated not on losing weight.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s not always easy to make yourself go to bed early because our bodies need rest.</span></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s not always easy to occasionally have to eat something different than your family.</span></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s not always easy to go spend money on new clothes when for so many years you have put yourself last in line on the shopping list.</span></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s not always easy to say “no” to the junk food put in front of you.</span></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s not always easy to have to discipline yourself but the fact of the matter is, we all need boundaries.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s not always easy to stretch yourself and try new things, but you turn out to be a better person when you do.</span></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s not always easy to push yourself hard and through the impossible, but it’s worth it.</span></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I have had to work at these things, but one of the greatest things I have learned on this journey is the fact that I am just as important to serve and love as anyone else. In fact, the more I have learned to serve myself and love who I have become, the more I want to serve others (funny how things work that way).&nbsp; It’s never easy being overweight and insecure with the body you live in. I wish in my heart I could change that thinking in the lives of others but just like anything else, the only way to really gain a testimony of it is to experience it and go through it yourself. The process is often times painful, but in the end the joy and new set on life is worth it all.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></span></div><div style="font: 10.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Looking back, I honestly wouldn’t change being overweight the majority of my life for anything. Sure, it would have been nice to have been skinny sooner or for more years than I was fat, but I also can say that if it wasn’t for being as overweight as I had become, I wouldn’t be the person I have become today. Someone who can do what others think is the impossible, someone who believes in herself, someone who is finally living a life for years she had only dreamed of.</span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ucGCYOTEoU/U5my5FJkV7I/AAAAAAAADAA/wAWTruIPL2g/s1600/photo-51.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ucGCYOTEoU/U5my5FJkV7I/AAAAAAAADAA/wAWTruIPL2g/s1600/photo-51.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><br /></span></div>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-76601864781094415482014-06-05T06:49:00.001-06:002014-06-05T06:49:41.291-06:00Pushing the Limits<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Have you ever been asked to do something and you thought, "There is just no way?!" &nbsp;Like, no physical way. Like beyond fathomable? Yep, that was me a couple weeks ago when I met with my trainer. I had showed up to the appointment and was blindsided when he had found out just the day before from another client how SLOW I ran The Great Potato 10k. Mind you, I was not running that race for any specific time but just did it with a group of friends from work. In fact, the first 1.5 miles I ran along side my best friend's mom at her pace and encouraged her along. Not to mention, the first 1.5 - 2 miles were gridlocked and I could only go as fast as the person in front of me as we were on a sectioned off part of the road. Anyway, Jacob informed me that we were going to start our workout that day by me running the fastest mile I could run. Ha! I thought he was kidding. Then it clicked in. "You've known him WAY too long. He is so NOT kidding!" And on the treadmill I went. At first, as I started running, Jacob kept increasing the speed. With each raised number, I tried more to confirm to him that I couldn't go as fast as he wanted me to go. In fact, I grabbed the sides of the treadmill and jumped off. At that point he informed me that every time I jumped off, we were going to start over. Yikes!!! I'm not really sure what clicked, but I knew if I was going to make it through this mile, I needed to focus, concentrate, and give it all I had. 8:47 minutes later I was done! Surprised? Very! Happy? Not at all! In fact, it felt like torture at the time. Then I was informed we'd be doing the same thing this past week. I think that put me in a bad mood for the rest of my session, because Jacob told me he didn't think he's ever seen me testy like that. He was probably right.&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><br /><div id="yiv2797757241yui_3_16_0_9_1401666757215_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div id="yiv2797757241yui_3_16_0_9_1401666757215_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This time I came in with a mindset of what I knew I needed to do. I knew it wasn't going to be easy, but I knew I could do it. I picked a song on my I-pod, got a focal point, and went to work. Jacob pushed and pushed a little further, always encouraging me and cheering me on along the way. I tried not to focus on looking down at how far I had left to go but instead focus on the fact that I was doing something I hadn't done before. A new challenge. This time I did my mile in 7:57. Again, Surprised? Yes! Happy? Yes!</span></div><div id="yiv2797757241yui_3_16_0_9_1401666757215_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div id="yiv2797757241yui_3_16_0_9_1401666757215_7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Just like losing the weight initially, I was scared, unsure of myself and skeptical of the outcome. But the thing that brings me back for more, the thing that keeps pushing me to live healthy and keep the weight off that I've worked so hard to achieve, is the fact that just when I think my limits are being pushed as far as they can go, I still am learning more and more about myself. About the person who's been hiding in this body all these years. About the person who has discovered discipline and determination and is willing to push the limits to find peace and happiness.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eN6lEJkCB5k/U4_poNUpfOI/AAAAAAAAC-U/akyCuecBzVs/s1600/photo-50.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eN6lEJkCB5k/U4_poNUpfOI/AAAAAAAAC-U/akyCuecBzVs/s1600/photo-50.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">Now, I meet with Jacob again today. Who knows what he'll have in store for me this time, but the good news is, regardless of how hard he pushes the limits and how frustrated I get in the process, I know deep down he is only trying to make me a better me. That is why he does what he does. And that is why I am forever grateful!</span></span></div><div id="yiv2797757241yui_3_16_0_9_1401666757215_7" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-37967109760033198922014-05-30T06:33:00.000-06:002014-05-30T06:33:19.056-06:00Stick With It!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">When it comes to losing weight and making a lifestyle change, it can occasionally get discouraging or mundane or like you are doing the same thing day in, day out, week after week, month after month. &nbsp;Maybe you are feeling better and seeing changes and maybe you aren't, but the one thing I can say is to just....STICK WITH IT!&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know it can be easy to want to give up and not go on if your body doesn't respond and perform the way you want it to. I went through this several times. My body would do well for a period of time and then decide to fight me a bit. It can be frustrating but in my own way I have come to realize that really, my body was just wanting to see how hard I was going to work, how dedicated I was, and if I mentally had what it took to push through the wall of a 2 or 3 week no-progress phase and keep going. It's like my body needed to be tested to see if I was up for the challenge. In every instance (and believe me, when you have a lot of weight to lose and what seems like a long road ahead) when I would just believe in myself a little bit more than the day before and continue to press forward, without fail, I always came off the plateau feeling like I had conquered yet another hard aspect of making it a lifestyle change that was going to last forever. Each time I would bump up against those type of walls in the future, it made it all that much easier to make it over the hump.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The other area of concern that I have seen or been asked about is if after losing say half or 3/4 the amount of weight I was working on losing, did I feel like I wanted to relax a bit more? Give myself a little more slack per say. Nope, for me that has never been an issue. I, personally, am a very driven person and so once my mind was set and I had decided to do this, I was in 100%. Whatever it took, I was going to do it and do it right. I had worked too hard and learned too many wonderful strategies to want to allow myself anything less than the best. I felt like I deserved that. My body and mind deserved that. &nbsp;The same applies for anyone asking themselves those questions too. Your body deserves you at 100%.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you have a long way to go like I did, it will take time to reprogram the brain that this is a forever thing, not just a temporary fix to get you to your goal and then it's back to your old ways. That type of thinking will never work. It never worked for me and trust me, I know and attempted it several times before getting it right. What I do know is that even though it's hard, and sometimes we feel inadequate, drained, and like we can't go any further and just need a break, even for a week or two....Just. Keep. Going! Stick with it! What we decide to do with our actions and what we tell the brain we can and can't do weighs heavy on our success in the end. I know it's sometimes easier said than done, but in the end, I know you can stick with it and do it. You are much stronger than you think.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here's to a great weekend ahead for all of us!&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qd-ga6BKeEY/U4h6VLZYJZI/AAAAAAAAC-A/MEcFARNnElc/s1600/photo-47.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qd-ga6BKeEY/U4h6VLZYJZI/AAAAAAAAC-A/MEcFARNnElc/s1600/photo-47.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-66214304151836423762014-05-21T06:00:00.002-06:002014-05-21T06:00:49.426-06:00Get Healthy for Him<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was running on the treadmill at the gym last night. &nbsp;I had my ear buds in and was listening to music when I glanced down at the 4-way TV that sits in the main, open part of the gym. &nbsp;On the screen were the words: &nbsp;“Get healthy for Him.” Now, I’m sure there are a number of ways you could look at this statement. I don’t even know what the advertisement was for, but I assume it was for something probably totally worldly and meant something along the lines of getting in shape for your spouse or the man in your life. For me it wasn’t that at all.</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’m not trying to push religion on you as I totally respect there are many out there who have their own ideas about religion, but since this is my personal blog, a place where I write my thoughts and experiences in regards to my own journey, for me it was a statement about getting healthy for the one who made it possible for me to even be here - God, the one who created this world we are blessed to live in.&nbsp;</span><br /><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I know I have mentioned it before in previous posts but I oftentimes will reflect back and marvel at the human body as a whole. I feel like it’s a gift that is given to each one of us and it’s our job and responsibility to take care of it. I’m a firm believer that God doesn’t ever give us things He doesn’t know we are capable of overcoming. I know for me I was a slow learner on this one. In fact, for so many years of my life I think I was angry at the fact that I was fat. I would think things like, “Why did God give me a fat body and slow metabolism? What’s up with my families genetics? I’ll always be big!”&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It wasn’t until a few years ago, on a little hike, on a small mountain in Washington, that I realized that this was just part of the test for me. We’re all dealt a deck of cards. I call them the cards of our life. They may represent different things for each one of us. One of mine included overcoming obesity. Others that don’t pertain to me but might relate to someone else are cards consisting of things like, overcoming a terminal illness, not overcoming a terminal illness, family tragedy, will I get married?, will I ever have children?, will I be able to afford to go to college?, will I have grandchildren?, diabetes, heart disease, and the list can go on……</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The bottom line is that no matter what cards are in the deck we are dealt, it is up to us to make the most of what we’ve been given so we can be successful in playing our cards right. Nobody can deal with it for us. Sure, we can have awesome support (Believe me, I have!) and people cheering us on, but when it comes down to it, no one can do the work for us but ourselves. Honestly, that is why my relationship with God has become so intimate over the past several years. I’ve always been a religious person but this was different. I had a lot to work through, a lot of healing to do, and I had to start to put my trust in something I had never believed in before…ME! Instead of being angry at God for the body I was given, I had to first apologize for the many years of self-destruction and putting the blame on food and others. I had to relinquish my anger towards Him in giving me this body in the first place, and learn that He loved and adored me from the beginning and wants only what is best for me. That together, He and I can work as a team and be successful in molding my body into what I wanted it to become.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Life is definitely a journey, but I believe with the right people in your path, and you working towards becoming the best you know you can be, all things are possible.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-in7B47_oTjk/U3yUNXx5bBI/AAAAAAAAC9w/lr25vxUGXGQ/s1600/photo-44.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-in7B47_oTjk/U3yUNXx5bBI/AAAAAAAAC9w/lr25vxUGXGQ/s1600/photo-44.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div></div>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-6515021524662761192014-05-14T07:11:00.000-06:002014-05-14T20:29:43.072-06:00Everyone Has a Story<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 14px;">We were driving through Park City this past weekend as we were in Utah for a National Dance Competition for my daughter. We were stopped at a stoplight when a very morbidly obese man made his way across the street. As I watched him walk my heart was torn in many ways. I felt for him. Even though I was never quite in the same situation he is currently facing, I was still obese and knew the feeling of being trapped and hopeless in my own body. The way he walked looked painful. I could only imagine the chaffing and body sores he must have in different areas of his body due to large amounts of skin rubbing against each other as he tried to move. I watched as the other people on the sidewalk watched him walk past and the look on their faces was almost that of them making fun of him. I wanted to roll down my window and yell at them but I refrained. In the same moment I wanted to roll down my window and tell this young man how proud I was of him. Yes, I am proud of a morbidly obese man I saw walking the streets of Park City! Why? Because everyone has a story and we don’t know his. Maybe he used to be heavier and he was out on his daily walk and has already lost 20,30, or even 50 pounds. Yay for him. And if he hasn’t, he’s still making a difference in his day by getting out there and walking.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span></span><br /><div class="yiv6067821526" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400036350045_2814"><span class="yiv6067821526" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400036350045_2813" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I think we can all say we are guilty of looking at someone and making judgments or thoughts when we probably shouldn’t. I know I am not exempt when it comes to this. In fact, for a long time when I would go to the gym I would see one of the trainers who was definitely not “fit” in any way and I often wondered if that bothered her or even her clients? In my mind, I was thinking if I was a new person attending the gym and needing to find a trainer, I’d be looking for someone who I &nbsp;had faith and confidence in. Someone who mirrored a healthy lifestyle. They certainly wouldn’t have to have a beach body by any means but just someone who I could tell worked on living the kind of lifestyle I was training to achieve. Makes sense right? &nbsp;Well, after months of watching her work with clients and seeming&nbsp; sweet and nice no less, I decided that she really is good at what she does. She is encouraging, you can tell her clients like her, and most of all, they still kept coming back week after week, month after month. Then one day while running on the treadmill I decided I had no place to assume &nbsp;anything about her because I didn’t know her story. That has become my new mantra with people. For all I know she could been 300+ pounds a few years back and wow, look at her now, she looks great! See we didn’t know her story.</span></span></div><div class="yiv6067821526" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400036350045_2816"><span class="yiv6067821526" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1400036350045_2815" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The same goes for even myself. I’m sure if a total stranger met me or even someone at the gym layed eyes on me, they could assume that I could stand to lose another 10-15+ pounds or be more fit than I am but did they know me at 278 pounds? Do they know how far I have already come? Do they know my story?</span></span></div><div class="yiv6067821526" id="yiv6067821526yui_3_16_0_9_1400011460441_12"></div><div class="yiv6067821526" id="yiv6067821526yui_3_16_0_1_1400011460441_3241"><span class="yiv6067821526" id="yiv6067821526yui_3_16_0_1_1400011460441_3239" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The body is an amazing thing. Even when it is big and obese it can do more than we think it can. And as we progress towards getting healthier, it will continue to surprise us with all the things it is capable of. Whether you are just starting your journey or consider yourself a work in progress, we all have a story and that I am grateful for. May you continue to press forward believing you can do anything you put your mind to. And who cares what others think, right? They don’t know your story.</span></span><br /><span class="yiv6067821526" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><span class="yiv6067821526" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MpzyDeGT6dE/T0KJN32cOHI/AAAAAAAABaw/hLKquGp0vt8/s1600/Cancun_Mar_07+259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MpzyDeGT6dE/T0KJN32cOHI/AAAAAAAABaw/hLKquGp0vt8/s1600/Cancun_Mar_07+259.jpg" height="320" width="226" /></a></div><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QFzWQmjIDOQ/U3Nq8itsq2I/AAAAAAAAC9M/7y3pvdj0h2Q/s1600/photo-42.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QFzWQmjIDOQ/U3Nq8itsq2I/AAAAAAAAC9M/7y3pvdj0h2Q/s1600/photo-42.JPG" height="320" width="237" /></a><span class="yiv6067821526" style="line-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;"><span class="yiv6067821526" id="yiv6067821526yui_3_16_0_1_1400011460441_3239" style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></div>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-31648492405818429342014-05-06T06:39:00.003-06:002014-05-06T06:39:52.678-06:00Positive Affirmations<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Isn’t it ironic that we are our own worst critics? It’s been nearly 4 years since I changed my life and learned how to eat to live, and I still catch myself at times not being very nice to me. The truth of the matter is that we become what we think and say about ourselves. It’s just one of those facts in life, whether we want to believe it or not.&nbsp;</span><br /><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">For instance, if you are constantly telling yourself (like I did for many years of my life) that you have a weight problem because it’s genetics and several people in your family have this problem, then that is the person you will become. That is what you will always believe and&nbsp; if the time ever comes in your life where you are trying to combat those thoughts, it will take an awful lot of convincing and work to help the brain to think otherwise.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The good news is that this can also work just as effectively when constantly reminding ourselves of what a blessing it is to have the body that we have and start appreciating all the wonderful things it can do, even if we aren’t yet where we want to be. I know from my own experience that when I figured out how to be a cheerleader and actively encourage my body as it was changing, I had great success. I saw results, I saw progression, I saw what I have become today.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cAGC8Lb9CxU/U2hTZnLRShI/AAAAAAAAC88/gM1QjqUKKJE/s1600/photo-41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cAGC8Lb9CxU/U2hTZnLRShI/AAAAAAAAC88/gM1QjqUKKJE/s1600/photo-41.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; min-height: 13.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">This is what I have on my mirror in my bathroom this week. Yep, I like to write myself little notes, whether on my bathroom mirror, on a sticky note at work, in the car, or wherever it may be. The more I remind myself of what I am capable of, the more I surprise myself and continue on as I still struggle from time to time on this journey I now call maintenance. Positive affirmations make me feel good. They push me to keep going. They challenge me and help me want to be the best I know how to be!&nbsp;</span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">What are some of the things you have said to yourself lately? Are they positive? I promise that positive affirmations do work. You just have to invest yourself in them just like anything else important in your life.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Happy thinking! You're worth it!</span></div>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-72734138972106223202014-04-29T06:57:00.002-06:002014-04-29T06:57:53.452-06:00Look Who I Did a Workout With.....Literally!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last Thursday I showed up for my regular appointment with my trainer. After taking some measurements and going over how things have been going, he proceeded to ask me if I had some "tunes" with me. At first I was caught slightly off guard and then said, "Yes, in the car." He said for me to go get them because we were going to workout together today. At first I was thinking....seriously?! Like I could keep up with him and what he's going to be doing. And then the other part of me was thinking, "How cool is this? I'm up for a challenge".</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We were working on chest and triceps (one of my favorites) so I was excited, regardless of what he was going to have me do. Honestly, depending on the day, sometimes I dread certain muscle groups, but this one never seems to get old or bother me. &nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It wasn't far into our workout (like less than a minute) that all my fears and anxiety of keeping up with the guy who's been such a huge part of my journey for the past 4 years was gone. I felt like an equal. Like it didn't matter what weight he was pushing or what weight I was pushing. &nbsp;We were getting the job done. It was good for me to see him struggle, have to work, and push through the hard. It confirmed to me that he's just as real as you and I. Sometimes, I think we think of others that are paid to help us, whether it be a doctor, a dentist, or even a trainer or therapist of some sort, that they are on a different level than we are. Maybe they have more knowledge in certain things than we do because they have a profession in that field, but that does not make them exempt from having to work just as hard as we do at certain things or have to work to be healthy.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am so grateful for Jacob and his example to me in my life in so many ways. It's hard to believe at times that it's been 4 years already. He can tell you just like I can that the day I met him, I was not excited in the least bit about what was up ahead. I was quiet, reserved, and very protective of my weight issue. &nbsp;My emotions were very delicate at that time in my life. I didn't come around very easily and I am the first to admit now, that I was a hard egg to crack. (Very hard!) Week after week, as the scale would slowly start to move and the inches on my body began to melt away, I still seemed to pick out the negative and not believe in myself and what was happening to my body. Looking back, I'm sure at times it was very frustrating for Jacob, but he just kept pressing me forward with an eye single to the goal at the end of the road. He believed in me far more than I ever believed in myself. In fact, his love for people, and changing lives is what helped me to learn to believe in myself. I wasn't a number or a project. I was a person. A person he became passionate about helping to see their potential in life. I know I'm not a trainer or a professional by any means when it comes to this stuff, but I am certain on one thing. I have a great love for who I have become in my life today. It wasn't easy and I had to work hard, but the pay off in the end doesn't compare to anything I could have ever imagined. My life is full. I am blessed. Thank you Jacob for being a huge part of who I am today!&nbsp;</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-45wq7IEgb3E/U18jfeDj93I/AAAAAAAAC8s/wdGUOzzwGR8/s1600/photo-40.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-45wq7IEgb3E/U18jfeDj93I/AAAAAAAAC8s/wdGUOzzwGR8/s1600/photo-40.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-40484676255684062952014-04-24T07:02:00.000-06:002014-04-24T07:02:35.295-06:00Be Nice to You! <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">"You were given this body because you are strong enough to deal with it."</span></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: 11px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">After seeing this quote yesterday morning, I’ve been thinking about it ever since. In some ways out of shame and in other ways out of celebration.&nbsp;</span><br /><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It’s funny how when we allow ourselves to gain large amounts of access weight or not happy with something within the walls of our own body, how critical we are of ourselves. I am the first to admit I fell into this category more times than once, especially when I had 130+ pounds to lose. I think it’s a natural reaction. We don’t like how something looks or feels and because our body belongs to “us” per say, we feel like we have the right to be critical. Isn’t that funny how we do that? I mean we wouldn’t in our wildest dreams think of saying something to a friend or family member if we felt like they had some issues to deal with that were as personal as weight loss and self-image, right? Okay, maybe some would but I know that is territory I personally would steer away from.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dz2CFbs25lQ/U1kKaR8iVtI/AAAAAAAAC8c/sfSl3EXJM8M/s1600/photo-38.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dz2CFbs25lQ/U1kKaR8iVtI/AAAAAAAAC8c/sfSl3EXJM8M/s1600/photo-38.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The reality is this, and it’s sad that it’s taken me until now to really understand how it works. Our bodies are not the way they are in shape and size entirely based on genetics. That plays a very small part, but as far as what our scale weight is and what our body fat percentage is, all is a result of what WE, the “body owner,” chooses to feed it. So yes, when I was nearly 280 pounds and feeling sorry for myself and frustrated… really, I was the only one to blame for the problem that had become out of hand. Even though I didn’t think that was the case. I mean, it didn’t matter what diet I tried or what exercises I kept trying to do, the weight still wouldn’t come off so how could it be my fault?&nbsp; Why not blame genetics or life’s circumstances?&nbsp; I think sometimes it’s so easy to push the blame on something or someone else when really we as the person suffering are the one who needs addressed. Granted we may not yet understand the best solution or cycle for what our body will respond to as we are all different, but the underlying problem stems from our behaviors. The good news is that there is an answer for everyone and what may work for one person may not work for the next, so being patient and finding just the right fit is the key. &nbsp;It’s the “how” we treat our bodies in the process that makes the difference.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I’ve learned to think of the body and how it works as a machine. Truly that is what it is. What we chose to do with that is up to us. It’s like me pulling into the gas station and putting diesel in my car instead of unleaded. It wouldn’t work. It would cause a problem. The car would rebel. Our bodies are much the same way. They need to be fueled with things they like and that can help them excel, not filled with the constant things that make them tired and sluggish. Again, the “what” is going to vary from person to person. &nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Regardless, in the process I think it’s so important for us to be nice to our bodies. To treat them with respect just like we would anything else. Keep in mind this whole lifestyle to healthy is a process. As long as you are trying, your body is trying. Learning to work together instead of against each other is the key to success. Just recently I have found my mind wanting to wander and be critical or negative about my mid-section and the loose skin and the will-it-ever-go- away talk. Then I am quickly reminded of the hard work we have already accomplished together and the success we have had. I remind myself that in order for that area of my body to continue to make the progress I am hopeful for, I need to remain positive, build it up, and encourage it along the way. It’s amazing what will start to happen when you think of all the imperfections on your body as your greatest blessings in strengthening yourself. Yes, life is good!</span></span><br /><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ODb4v5I1CAE/U1kKUQT2BJI/AAAAAAAAC8U/5NLY63mpR8A/s1600/photo-39.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ODb4v5I1CAE/U1kKUQT2BJI/AAAAAAAAC8U/5NLY63mpR8A/s1600/photo-39.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div></div>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-27159449555378137372014-04-17T06:59:00.000-06:002014-04-17T06:59:03.547-06:00Celebrate the Small<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Celebration #1</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;">I know this may seem corny to some but last week when I got on the plane to fly to San Diego for Ragnar I went to buckle my seat belt and this is what I saw.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span></span><br /><div id="yiv1214046715yui_3_13_0_8_1397593178375_8"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4x2Z0BMmdFM/U09SrdlOTdI/AAAAAAAAC8E/4ujv_ZNab8s/s1600/photo-36.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4x2Z0BMmdFM/U09SrdlOTdI/AAAAAAAAC8E/4ujv_ZNab8s/s1600/photo-36.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></span></span></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span></span><div id="yiv1214046715yui_3_13_0_8_1397593178375_15"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><div id="yiv1214046715yui_3_13_0_1_1397593178375_2621">A whole several inches, maybe even a foot or more of leftover seat belt. Not to mention my legs were even crossed. It made me smile. I'm sure the guy sitting next to me was wondering what in the world I was doing when I pulled out my phone and was trying to get a picture at just the right angle of my lap. &nbsp;Oh well, I didn't care. I was just relishing in the fact that a few&nbsp;years before that&nbsp;when boarding an airplane I would have to quietly ask the flight attendant for a seat-belt extender in order to get the seat belt to fit around me.</div><div id="yiv1214046715yui_3_13_0_8_1397593178375_2568"></div></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Celebration #2</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">After losing a good portion on my weight I needed to get my wedding ring re-sized as I was fearful of having it fall off and losing it somewhere. Now, maybe I should tell you that at one point in my life I needed to have gold added to the ring in order for it to fit as I had put on weight since my wedding day. I remember that being a very hard thing for me. &nbsp;I felt like I was accepting the fact that I was getting fat but the reality was that I didn't want to go without my ring either. Regardless, my ring has fit fine since having the gold removed again after losing the weight, but often times, over the last several months, I notice it spin around on my finger and display itself as maybe needing yet another sizing. Again, this is exciting to me. Even though I may not be losing large amounts of weight anymore, my body is still changing as I continue to work on my fitness.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span></span><br /><div id="yiv1214046715yui_3_13_0_8_1397593178375_2571"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-43FgHhFfuuo/U09ShBndtJI/AAAAAAAAC78/bvgUIYNw9lQ/s1600/photo-37.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-43FgHhFfuuo/U09ShBndtJI/AAAAAAAAC78/bvgUIYNw9lQ/s1600/photo-37.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></a></span></div><div id="yiv1214046715yui_3_13_0_8_1397593178375_2236"></div><div id="yiv1214046715yui_3_13_0_8_1397593178375_2239"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here it is, nearly 3 1/2 years since taking off all my weight, and the little surprises or the moments like these make me celebrate who I have become. &nbsp;</span></div><div id="yiv1214046715yui_3_13_0_8_1397593178375_2239"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div id="yiv1214046715yui_3_13_0_8_1397593178375_2239"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Is there something you can celebrate this week? Whether it be big or small, we all had to start somewhere. Celebrate something!&nbsp;</span></div>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-78470721020278759582014-04-14T06:49:00.001-06:002014-04-14T06:49:22.977-06:00Keeping Your Eye on the Goal<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"></span><br /><div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1397441789781_2541" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've been thinking about this very thing a lot the last few days. I think most of it comes from the fact that I was in California for nearly a week. &nbsp;When I got home, I was in survival mode the last few days of the week just trying to get through the rest of the week at work and trying to make what food we had in the house get us by until the weekend when I could get out and do my regular shopping.&nbsp;</span></div><div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1397441789781_2541" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br id="yui_3_13_0_1_1397441789781_2742" /></span></div><div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1397441789781_2541" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I guess I bring this topic up because it seems to be very real in most of our lives. Things come up, we go out of town, we are out of our routine, and things get out of whack per say. I know in past years when these types of things came my way it seemed like a perfect opportunity to throw the towel in the bag for a while (which could be weeks, months, or even years) and give up or self-sabotage all the hard work I had put into trying to be healthy. I was thinking about it today and almost felt sad for the old Paige, that she would do that to herself. Then I realized, back then, she didn't know any different. She hadn't fully wrapped her head around the lifestyle part of things. In fact, I'm sure I didn't even realize the things I was eating were all that bad back then. It wasn't until I made the effort to educate myself on food, exercise, and it's affect on the body that things started to change for me.&nbsp;</span></div><div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1397441789781_2541" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br id="yui_3_13_0_1_1397441789781_2774" /></span></div><div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1397441789781_2541" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">With that being said, this past week was a bit of a challenge for me. It's hard to have to eat out more than normal. To not know specifically what I am putting into my mouth, how it was cooked, or if they cook it the way I asked, how many calories were in the dish, and if they measure things out like I do. Most of the time the answer to all of those questions is the opposite of what you were hoping. Now, does that mean you should never eat out? Of course not. That wouldn't be living life if you didn't. It's the constant having to eat out that can put a damper on things, being out of town, and the daily consumption of not your usual routine that can get you out of sync.</span></div><div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1397441789781_2541" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br id="yui_3_13_0_8_1397441789781_24" /></span></div><div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1397441789781_2541" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">One of the things that has been a blessing to me since taking off my weight is that anytime I seem to get out of sync (and if you know me, this really doesn't happen often) I crave my normal. I can't wait to get back to routine, measuring, and logging of my food. Even though I know it's good for me to get out of my routine and "live" every once in a while, I always look forward to getting back on track and doing what my body is used to. In fact, day one in California, even though I was enjoying my treats, and I didn't have my measuring cups in my suitcase, I already knew that my body would be ready to return to normal upon my return home.&nbsp;</span></div><div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1397441789781_2541" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br id="yui_3_13_0_8_1397441789781_28" /></span></div><div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1397441789781_2541" style="background-color: transparent; display: block; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I've been home now for a few days and have gotten back into the gym, gone for a run, and stocked up on all the things my body craves during the week in order to function at its best. I don't regret enjoying myself while out of town but I'm looking forward to getting rid of the salt, sluggishness, and tiredness that naturally comes when I fuel my body with the wrong kinds of things. I always look at these vacations or time away from the norm as opportunities to make myself stronger and relish in the fact that I truly have changed my life. &nbsp;I can eat and not feel guilt, I can enjoy and not worry, and know that my body has found a place that I will bring it back to as its "new normal." A place of balance, nutrition, exercise, and peace. This can can only happen when keeping your eye on the goal.&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ULfcui2k-pE/U0vZNHhpITI/AAAAAAAAC7s/UQE8nPPooj0/s1600/photo-35.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ULfcui2k-pE/U0vZNHhpITI/AAAAAAAAC7s/UQE8nPPooj0/s1600/photo-35.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div id="yui_3_13_0_1_1397441789781_2541" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: block; font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br id="yui_3_13_0_1_1397441789781_2816" /></div>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8886609594320917604.post-9255024434888086462014-04-11T06:50:00.000-06:002014-04-11T06:50:43.704-06:00Ragnar Recap<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I boarded the plane in Boise last Thursday morning both excited and a bit nervous about what was about to unfold within a couple hours. Here I was, after months of correspondence, planning and training, off to finally meet face-to-face with my 11 teammates. I tried to distract myself on the plane by reading and listening to music but that didn’t seem to be working. I think the guy in the seat next to me could tell I was fidgety, so he started talking with me. He wanted to know why I was headed to San Diego, so for the next 45 minutes I was able to explain to him everything about this Ragnar I was about to run and how the team, Strangers to Solemates, was formed. He was more excited than I think I was to get off that plane. He gave me his email and told me he’d love to hear all about it and how the team all meshed together and everything in between. In fact, he followed me outside wanting to see how my first interaction with my team went over.&nbsp;</span><br /><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">John (one of our team captains) was waiting outside by the curb as I walked out of the airport. He had already picked up several of the others and dropped them to either get the other van we were renting for the weekend or dropped them at his house. Bonnie was with him and had run in to look for me, but I hadn’t checked any bags so I wasn’t in the baggage claim area. Caitlin was the first person who greeted me with a hug. We loaded my bags in the van, I hopped in and climbed over the seat to give John a hug, and then Bonnie was there to claim hers shortly after. We drove around for about 15 minutes and then Katie arrived. I was really looking forward to hugging on her as she was the one who started this whole thing for me. She got in the van and was just as adorable as I imagined.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We all got back to John’s house and waited for Thomas to arrive before heading north to the starting line. His flight was delayed but nobody seemed to mind as he was bringing everyone a Voodoo Donut from Portland.</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; letter-spacing: 0px;">&nbsp;After Thomas had arrived and we’d given enough hugs to go around 5 times or so, we all loaded into the 2 vans and headed to our hotel near the starting line. We had gotten 3 rooms so we put 2 people from each van in a room to mix things up a bit. Caitlin and I were in the same van and got paired up with Bonnie and Martha. They were super fun and made it a perfect start to an even more perfect weekend.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Before heading to bed we had all went to dinner as a group and then hit Party City to purchase van decorations and a few goofy things to wear along the way.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TxCE9JhkseI/U0dnuuqZZWI/AAAAAAAAC7I/LTYmJDTxm9w/s1600/photo-13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TxCE9JhkseI/U0dnuuqZZWI/AAAAAAAAC7I/LTYmJDTxm9w/s1600/photo-13.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I was in van #1 so we were up and out the door rather early. We needed to get signed in, pick up our race stuff, and have our first runner ready by 5:00am. Our running assignments were as follows: Runner 1 =Thomas, Runner 2 =Katie, Runner 3= John, Runner 4= Caitlin, Runner 5 = Hilary, and Runner 6= me. Those are the people I really spent the majority of my time with.&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3bzg6fSlE1Q/U0dnjEqIjDI/AAAAAAAAC6s/v18O_9ia8nc/s1600/photo-16.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3bzg6fSlE1Q/U0dnjEqIjDI/AAAAAAAAC6s/v18O_9ia8nc/s1600/photo-16.JPG" height="400" width="345" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pIO38W-CCCg/U0dnkp9ffGI/AAAAAAAAC64/VpQJc4XP7vk/s1600/photo-14.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pIO38W-CCCg/U0dnkp9ffGI/AAAAAAAAC64/VpQJc4XP7vk/s1600/photo-14.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Van 2 had Runner #7 = Dean, Runner #8= Tay, Runner #9 = Martha, Runner#10= Bonnie, Runner #11= Cat, and Runner #12= Colleen.&nbsp; Van 2 got up and met us at the starting line just before 5:00 to see Thomas off.</span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">That’s one of the things I loved about this team. It was all about support, bonding, and having fun. &nbsp;Not winning Ragnar. In fact, one of my favorite parts about the whole race was offering van support and cheering one another on.&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wZXdilkgwhQ/U0dnCPvtB1I/AAAAAAAAC5A/kJRskc8ZIEI/s1600/photo-28.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wZXdilkgwhQ/U0dnCPvtB1I/AAAAAAAAC5A/kJRskc8ZIEI/s1600/photo-28.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was inspiring to be a part of something like that. We didn’t care. We got out, made tunnels for our runner and others coming by, rang cow bells, cheered, gave other runners licorice as they were running past and whatever else we could think of to brighten someone else’s leg of the race. At one point I even ran after Thomas on one of his legs in my flip-flops ringing a cow bell down the street in the middle of the night. That’s just the kind of team we were. We wanted our runners to feel loved and we weren’t afraid to show it.</span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D3W_lVoxdxw/U0dndqMH-sI/AAAAAAAAC6I/3L9IG4qpU5A/s1600/photo-20.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D3W_lVoxdxw/U0dndqMH-sI/AAAAAAAAC6I/3L9IG4qpU5A/s1600/photo-20.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now onto my legs of the race and how things played out for me. Like I said, I was runner 6 so I was the last to run in our van before passing off to van two. I actually really liked this position. I tend to be a nervous runner and having to go last gave me everything I needed to see how it all worked, relax, gear myself up, and be ready. My first leg was 8.7 miles. I remember seeing Hilary coming in towards me and I pressed the button on my I-pod to get my music going. She came in, passed off our bracelets, gave me a hug, and off I went. I rounded the first corner and the tears began to start. Here I was doing what I thought was never possible at one point in my life, let alone now being a part of a relay team. It was so moving to me in the moment, but I also knew I needed to pull it together because I had a long way to go and any time I get emotional I tend to be tired afterward. I certainly didn't want any setbacks my first leg out. I continued to run along at what seemed like a very fast pace for me so I glanced down at my Garmin and noticed I was just under a 9 minute mile! Yikes! I knew right then I needed to put on the brakes. I had no idea I was running that fast nor was I capable of such a thing. I NEVER run that fast. It's just not me. I just think the whole experience of finally being out there and the added adrenaline had me going for a few minutes there. &nbsp;I was able to settle into a decent pace and trek along. Most of the first leg had a slight incline. It probably wouldn't have been noticeable for many, but I totally notice these things and it was an incline. Just about the time I was wondering if it was ever going to end, I came across a runner who had fallen/tripped over a crack in the curb. A few runners in front of me continued on and just passed him by. This being my first Ragnar, I had no idea what I was supposed to do or what the rules were but I didn't care. I stopped to help him. He didn't have a phone and I did, thanks to my team captain John, who counseled us to never run without a phone (I'll be planning to purchase a nifty phone pouch like a couple of team mates have as soon as I find one at the next expo I attend). He called his team and they were only a couple minutes away, so I stayed with him long enough to make sure he was okay and then off I went. When I got to the exchange and saw my whole team there (as van 2 was taking over) the excitement kicked in again. I got teary, and was moved by my own emotions that I was doing this. It was real.&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q5ad52KTnSc/U0dnjV-TnNI/AAAAAAAAC6o/qoEej_L9oCk/s1600/photo-15.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-q5ad52KTnSc/U0dnjV-TnNI/AAAAAAAAC6o/qoEej_L9oCk/s1600/photo-15.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We headed out from there to get some food and stop off at a local school to visit a reader of Katie's blog who had contacted her and wanted us to stop by. We then went to the next exchange, and I set up my hammock and tried to nap for a while.&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d_4Qg2MfoYI/U0dnG_RJ-pI/AAAAAAAAC5I/ojf8-IHbdtg/s1600/photo-29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d_4Qg2MfoYI/U0dnG_RJ-pI/AAAAAAAAC5I/ojf8-IHbdtg/s1600/photo-29.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pX0ZYA4tcqc/U0dnmaW2W-I/AAAAAAAAC7A/SmkHNSuAtxo/s1600/photo-19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pX0ZYA4tcqc/U0dnmaW2W-I/AAAAAAAAC7A/SmkHNSuAtxo/s1600/photo-19.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was cold and windy so I didn't rest well, but it was nice to put my feet up for a while nonetheless. Once Colleen (runner 12) made it to the exchange, Thomas (runner 1) took over again and we were off for our night legs. Mine wasn't too bad and only a few miles long. I'm usually not hip about being in the dark, but my team decked me out in glow apparel and most of the area I was in was not overly creepy. There was one sketchy area, but I just paced the guy in front of me and stuck with him until we were down along the beach again.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ETCEAf3j0Ns/U0dngqrNNtI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/VOPSbXvwd-c/s1600/photo-18.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ETCEAf3j0Ns/U0dngqrNNtI/AAAAAAAAC6Y/VOPSbXvwd-c/s1600/photo-18.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">After I came in, we headed to our half-way hotel, showered, and got to climb in bed and sleep for 1.5 hours before we were up and back at it. I know that doesn't seem like much sleep but it was. And to have a real bed was even better. Gave me just what I needed to go out and finish strong the next morning.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We started our last legs in the early hours of the morning. We had so much fun cheering one another along on the last legs. Part of it I'm sure was that we were all so tired and just giddy, so anything really, was entertainment. And then also, we just liked supporting one another. Didn't matter with what, the support system was just who we were made of.&nbsp;</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I remember being a little nervous for my last leg. I knew it involved a hill that went on for just over 2 miles. I tried not to think about it too much but occasionally it would creep up on me. When we pulled into the exchange and I looked to the left, I saw Torry Pines....the HILL I was going to have to go up.&nbsp;</span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2De8c_73_q8/U0dm-mvdPtI/AAAAAAAAC44/Q5k3JD1Kmn8/s1600/photo-31.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2De8c_73_q8/U0dm-mvdPtI/AAAAAAAAC44/Q5k3JD1Kmn8/s1600/photo-31.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was beautiful in looks but to run up it? Umm, didn't look so pretty (and this picture makes it look rather small in size compared to real life). &nbsp;Hilary passed off to me and off I went. I maintained a decent pace until I got to the base of the hill and then I slowed things WAY down. My first line of attack was to walk it. Then I got there and thought, let's see how I do at a slow pace. And so I did. Up and over, up and over. I kept telling myself that as I ran along. At one point I noticed the gal behind me flagging me down. I turned off my music to see if she needed something and if she was okay. The words out of her mouth were... "You're a &nbsp;beast! I'm trying to keep up with you but I can't!" I guess I must have needed that because from then on, there was no way I was walking. I trudged, as my team van passed by honking the horn and waving (they later told me the van was down-shifting and their ears were popping and here I was trekking up the side of the mountain). When I made it to the top, I knew I only had a few miles left and I just took off. I didn't care how fast I went or if I was going to burn out. &nbsp;I just went. It was so empowering. It felt like I could do anything I put my mind to, regardless of how hard it felt.</span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mq92zLoPP6E/U0dnZs1ZJnI/AAAAAAAAC5w/5_hpEXtI9Vk/s1600/photo-27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mq92zLoPP6E/U0dnZs1ZJnI/AAAAAAAAC5w/5_hpEXtI9Vk/s1600/photo-27.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I rounded the corner and saw Dean standing there for the 3rd and final time as I ran in and once again, the tears began to come. He just was beaming, smiling, like he always does. He gave be a big bear hug and off he went on his last leg.&nbsp;</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our van followed him for a while, surprising him in different spots and cheering him on as we were finished with our portion of the race.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">We headed to get a bite to eat at In and Out Burger (yep, I ate naughty and it tasted SO good), went back to John's and rested for a bit, and waited until Van 2 was close to the finish line before we headed out.&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9qL_c2-AjW4/U0dqa3qm5gI/AAAAAAAAC7U/Idjt5CMSiuM/s1600/photo-34.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9qL_c2-AjW4/U0dqa3qm5gI/AAAAAAAAC7U/Idjt5CMSiuM/s1600/photo-34.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">When Colleen (runner 12) was about a mile out, she sent us a text and we all got ready to run the last part of her leg and through the finish line together. There we were all 12 of us, running along in our matching blue shirts, having just run nearly 200 miles toghether. We did it!&nbsp;</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dgOMcPmIudA/U0dneC43XgI/AAAAAAAAC6M/TiW3sK218IU/s1600/photo-21.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dgOMcPmIudA/U0dneC43XgI/AAAAAAAAC6M/TiW3sK218IU/s1600/photo-21.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was such an amazing feeling of accomplishment. Not just for me personally but as a team. We all had to do our part in order to make it happen and that is what I grew to love about Ragnar. It's not about speed and who gets there first. It's about working together as a team, to get you to that finish line.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="font: 11.0px 'Lucida Grande'; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">That night after the race we had a dinner at John's house.</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6vzD6jX6nQI/U0dnLy8blnI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/gXoR_zYF9n0/s1600/photo-30.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6vzD6jX6nQI/U0dnLy8blnI/AAAAAAAAC5Y/gXoR_zYF9n0/s1600/photo-30.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BA0zVL6KrWc/U0dqb1k4WAI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/znta0OyKw2I/s1600/photo-32.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BA0zVL6KrWc/U0dqb1k4WAI/AAAAAAAAC7Y/znta0OyKw2I/s1600/photo-32.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">The next morning we had a brunch together and then from then on out it was time to start saying goodbye to one another one by one.&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jok8tUditkY/U0dnP_kZ97I/AAAAAAAAC5g/9YhU5j5cAqE/s1600/photo-24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jok8tUditkY/U0dnP_kZ97I/AAAAAAAAC5g/9YhU5j5cAqE/s1600/photo-24.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GAograV2XqY/U0dna-HzOXI/AAAAAAAAC54/56jv77TEzVE/s1600/photo-25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GAograV2XqY/U0dna-HzOXI/AAAAAAAAC54/56jv77TEzVE/s1600/photo-25.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I didn't think it was going to be hard but it was. I remember thinking, I can't talk or I'll start crying. It's crazy to think that you could grow to love 11 random people like I did but when you share something so personal as weight-loss and changing your life, it's a bond that is nearly instant. Not many people can truly relate to you unless they've been in your shoes and have lived it. These guys had.&nbsp;</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BpRUuS48oEI/U0dnh1RGMKI/AAAAAAAAC6g/bzCKdNXZxJ4/s1600/photo-17.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BpRUuS48oEI/U0dnh1RGMKI/AAAAAAAAC6g/bzCKdNXZxJ4/s1600/photo-17.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;">I am so grateful I was invited to be a part of something so wonderful and great. It hardly feels fair that it's over and done already but a few of the things I am walking away with are courage to try new things, a love for running when I can enjoy the atmosphere and not care about time and pace, team building and lifting others up, and best of all, 11 new friends who will forever be a part of me.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ashUM5BvchM/U0dnSPjK1zI/AAAAAAAAC5o/R7bDTdUEDC0/s1600/photo-23.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ashUM5BvchM/U0dnSPjK1zI/AAAAAAAAC5o/R7bDTdUEDC0/s1600/photo-23.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5FLoeCR4xrI/U0dnLbnWt4I/AAAAAAAAC5Q/g7rJmwqmRWk/s1600/photo-26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5FLoeCR4xrI/U0dnLbnWt4I/AAAAAAAAC5Q/g7rJmwqmRWk/s1600/photo-26.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hP2qmL_VxuU/U0dnbdXz0_I/AAAAAAAAC58/fhgPPR2fpAk/s1600/photo-22.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hP2qmL_VxuU/U0dnbdXz0_I/AAAAAAAAC58/fhgPPR2fpAk/s1600/photo-22.JPG" height="400" width="311" /></a></div>Paigehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04675161962580582945noreply@blogger.com18